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Pioneering Prenatal Pediatrics

Children’s National is a leader in prenatal care for babies with complex medical conditions.

Our groundbreaking research and novel diagnostic tools enable us to identify problems earlier in pregnancy. That’s when we can make the most difference.

Our best-in-the-nation neonatal program delivers care for micro preemies and other fragile newborns. For babies with heart defects, our lifesaving surgery is among the world’s best. At every turn, our experts focus on protecting a child’s developing brain.

Your generous support will help more newborns overcome the toughest starts. Contact Meredith Chipman at [email protected] to learn more and lead the way.

Cannon’s Story

Laurie first saw a Children’s National prenatal specialist when she was 28 weeks pregnant. Difficult news followed—her son Cannon would need lifesaving surgery soon after birth. The good news? Children’s National would be there every step of the way.

Read more stories

Our Relentless Commitment to Save and Improve Young Lives

Expand Specialty Neurological Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

This multidisciplinary initiative will combine clinical excellence, nurse-navigator expertise and new research. It will enable us to better understand and treat problems in newborn brains.

Develop More Precise, Personalized Treatments for Preemies

Preterm babies are at high risk of brain injury to the cerebellum. We’re studying how to improve treatment outcomes, based on an enhanced molecular and genetic understanding of their conditions.

Advance Non-Invasive Surgical Techniques to Stop Seizures

Through the nation’s leading program in neonatal interventional radiology, we’ll lead the way to stop seizures in newborns. These can result following a lack of oxygen or cerebral hemorrhage.

Expand the Developing Brain Institute

We’re creating a future in which children don’t have to wait until they’re born to get high-tech help. Our Institute drives advances to address abnormal brain development with prenatal interventions that minimize long-term impacts.

Bolster the Network for Mother-Baby Wellness

This Washington, DC-wide resource supports expectant mothers’ mental health. It is a key factor in healthy development of their babies’ brains. We seek to expand screenings, build a citywide coalition that reduces health inequities and advocate for long-term policy change.

Amplify High-Quality Imaging

We will accelerate our work to develop the highest functioning MRI technology to safely study babies — in utero and as newborns. We’ll recruit a dedicated MRI expert, as part of our special delivery unit. They will engage with the community and train regional providers to better detect problems. This will enable us to connect babies sooner to our expert care.

“One of the difficult parts of prenatal pediatrics is not being able see the baby. But with advanced imaging techniques, we are able to get really powerful information about the baby's development. I think the fetal imaging here at Children's National is at the leading edge of the field anywhere in the world.”
– Adre Du Plessis, M.B.Ch.B, Division Chief, Prenatal and Transitional Pediatrics, Director, Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Director, Prenatal Brain Program
“We know that healthy moms equal healthy babies. If moms are pregnant in an unhealthy environment, it will not only affect their health, but it will invariably affect their unborn baby's health as well. Without the help of philanthropy, we could not have achieved the amazing milestones for optimizing mental health in both moms and in babies.”
– Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., Chief and Director, Developing Brain Institute, Director of Research, Prenatal Pediatrics Institute