The Prize and Its Promise: an Historic Perspective of The Nobel Prizes in Medicine With Emphasis on Pediatric Awards † 1926

Since their inception in 1901 the Nobel Prizes in Medicine and Physiology(MP because WW II ended in 1945, we used this as marker.Results<: 165 scientists received MP immunity(Metchnikoff and Ehrlich, 1908); pertussis (Bordet, 1919); early development of the embryo (Spemann 1935); poliomyelitis virus culture (Enders, Robbins, and Weller, 1954); and genes controlling early embryonic development (Lewis, Nusslein-Volhard and Wieschaus, 1995). Although all prize-winning scientists were of exceptional caliber, some discoveries did not stand the test of time: phototherapy for tuberculosis (Finsen 1903); artificial induction of cancer(Fibiger 1926); fever therapy using malaria infection for neurosyphilis(Wagner-Jauregg, 1927); and lobectomy for personality disorders (Egas Moniz and Hess, 1949). However, the awards made for pediatric topics have had lasting impact. Three Nobel laureates, Thomas Weller, Frederick Robbins (both 1954), and Carlton Gajdusek (1976), had received formal pediatric training. We will present an historical perspective on the prize-winning discoveries which had major impact on the growth of pediatrics.