Pandemic stress reshapes the placentas of expectant moms May 10, 2023 Elevated maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the structure, texture and other qualities of the placenta in pregnant mothers – a critical connection between mothers and their unborn babies – according to new research from the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National Hospital. Published in Scientific Reports, the findings spotlight the underappreciated link between the mental health of pregnant mothers and the health of the placenta – a critical organ that develops during pregnancy to nourish and protect babies.
Researchers identify unique biomarker patterns identifying MIS-C and severe COVID in children April 21, 2023 Using powerful sequencing technology, researchers have identified specific biomarker patterns in the blood that are unique to severe COVID-19 infection, as well as others unique to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a severe complication of COVID-19 infection in children.
DC Mother-Baby Wellness boosts resilience for over 1,000 new and expectant mothers experiencing stress, anxiety and depression April 18, 2023 An innovative DC Mother-Baby Wellness (DC MBW) program at Children’s National Hospital is marking a milestone: prenatal care providers have referred more than 1,000 pregnant women and their babies for mental healthcare support and other essential services, helping some of the area’s most strained young families build resilience and improve health outcomes.
The Board of Children’s National selects Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, as its next president and CEO March 23, 2023 The Children’s National Board of Directors announced today that Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, has been named as the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Children’s National Hospital.
Rest isn't best: Getting kids back to school sooner after a concussion can mean a faster recovery January 20, 2023 Contrary to popular belief, rest may not always be the best cure after a concussion, a new study published in JAMA Network Open finds. In fact, an early return to school may be associated with a lower symptom burden after suffering a concussion and, ultimately, faster recovery.
Winners of the 2022 Bear Institute Pediatric Accelerator Challenge for Kids Announced January 17, 2023 In December 2022, the Bear Institute, along with Children’s National Hospital and Oracle Health, hosted the second annual Bear Institute PACK (Pediatric Accelerator Challenge for Kids), a start-up competition aimed to foster pediatric digital health innovation.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden spend time with kids in the hospital at Christmas December 23, 2022 During the visit, the President and First Lady met with several families in the hospital’s CICU and also toured the telehealth command center to learn about the cutting-edge technology used to keep continuous watch over the most fragile children with critical heart disease. They also took time to thank hospital staff, including healthcare workers from the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Children’s National Hospital and CobiCure Launch Program to Help FDA-Cleared Medical Devices Achieve Pediatric Labeling December 19, 2022 Children’s National Hospital and the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI) announce the opening of a request for proposal to solicit companies interested in obtaining pediatric labeling for medical devices that may address an unmet need in the pediatric population and that already have clearance or approval for adult use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Zika-exposed children may display neurodevelopmental differences November 29, 2022 A new study finds that children who are exposed to the Zika virus while in the womb, but who are not subsequently diagnosed with Zika-related birth defects and congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), may still display differences in some aspects of cognitive development, mood and mobility compared to unexposed children.
First-of-its-kind surgical procedure offers new hope for children with Hirschsprung disease November 16, 2022 A new surgical procedure successfully addresses a common lingering challenge — incontinence – faced by some families with young children who have undergone surgery for Hirschsprung disease.