Prenatal Pediatrics News

Infectious Zika virus was isolated from the brain of a 21-week-old fetus after causing extensive damage to brain tissue – despite ultrasounds that showed no sign of microcephaly at weeks 13, 16, and 17, according to a report published online March 30, 2016 in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

A team of researchers from Children’s National Health System used 3-D volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an innovative study that reported that when the placenta fails to grow adequately in a fetus with congenital heart disease (CHD), it contributes to impaired fetal growth and premature birth. 

As part of an editorial collaboration with Medscape, Genetic Counselor Margaret Menzel discusses the use of noninvasive prenatal tests.

Northern Virginia Magazine has named more than 45 Children’s National Health System physicians to their list of 2015 “Top Doctors.” The leading pediatric physicians included in this elite list represent many specialties within Children’s National including Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Endocrinology, Hematology/Oncology, Neonatology, Otolaryngology, Urology, and Surgery.

Catherine Limperopoulos, PhD, spoke to The Guardian about the role of fetal imaging in diagnosing and treating brain disorders. 

Drs. Adré du Plessis and Catherine Limperopoulos tell WAMU’s Metro Connection about being partners in life, and also in science. At Children’s National they focus on fetal brain development in the Fetal Medicine Institute.

Earlier this year, the American Heart Association (AHA) released a scientific statement on the diagnosis and treatment of fetal cardiac disease written by a team of cardiac and obstetrical experts with lead author, Mary T. Donofrio, MD, Director of the Fetal Heart Program and Medical Director of the Critical Care Delivery Program for the Fetal Medicine Institute at Children’s National Health System.

Children’s National Health System recently opened the Fetal Medicine Institute to provide expectant parents with advanced fetal and newborn care and cutting-edge diagnostics.

A new study finds that when mothers are exposed to trauma, illness, alcohol or drug abuse, it may activate a brain cell molecular trigger that activates conditions such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and some forms of autism.

A husband and wife team at Children’s National identifies the earliest signs of impaired fetal brain development in high-risk pregnancies and develops the safest management plans for pregnancy and immediately after birth.