Children’s National is ranked one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our faculty and staff are proud of the impact made on the lives of children and families in our community. Your participation in the U.S. News & World Report annual reputational survey validates the quality of care we provide and reflects the mutual respect and trust we share as healthcare professionals.
How to determine your voting eligibility
Voting for the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals rankings can be done only through Doximity.
To participate, physicians must:
Be board-certified and meet the eligibility criteria for the voting categories.
For child and adolescent psychologists, your account must be up to date with your specialty and subspecialty correctly marked.
Be a credential-verified member of Doximity (you must have an active and claimed Doximity profile).
Have all certifications and board documents currently up-to-date in your Doximity profile.
You have to claim your profile on Doximity.com to participate in the online survey. If you have not yet claimed your Doximity profile, go to Doximity.com, and click “Find My Profile.”
Once your profile has been claimed, you must confirm your email address and board certifications.
Verified Doximity members will receive an email inviting them to participate in the U.S. News survey.
For more information on how to claim your profile, visit Doximity.com
How to update and verify existing Doximity account information
Your Doximity profile must have up-to-date licenses, certifications and board documents.
Once you are logged in, your profile will automatically be in “Edit Mode.” You are able to add new items or edit existing information.
Update your Doximity profile and ensure your information is current.
Once registered, users wishing to participate in the online survey should:
Watch for an email from Doximity about the annual member survey.
Even if you don’t see the email, if you are a registered Doximity user, you can still vote by logging in to Doximity.com with your username and password during the voting period.
Once logged in, look for a U.S. News graphic or button on the homepage and click on it.
The survey asks users to name the hospitals that provide the best care in your respective specialty, without consideration to location or cost. Pediatric specialists will list 10 hospitals. The order in which you list the hospitals does not matter.
Please note: Children’s National Hospital is listed as “Children’s National Hospital Washington, DC” on the survey.
Visit Doximity’s FAQs if you have issues or questions about registration or claiming your profile.
How to cast your vote
In February 2026 when voting opens, all survey-eligible physicians will receive a notification on the Doximity app for Android or iOS. If you do not use the Doximity app, you will receive an email when voting opens.
Log in to your Doximity account at doximity.com or via the mobile app.
Click the Notifications icon or tap the “Submit your Nominations” button on the homepage. You can also search for “U.S. News Best Hospitals”
Select 10 hospitals in your respective specialty that you believe provide the best care in the United States.
Submit your vote
Having technical issues?
If you have difficulty registering with Doximity or completing the survey, please visit Doximity support for assistance.
Vote
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals reputation voting will open in mid-February. Look for your Doximity notification to vote.
New research from Children’s National links in-utero COVID-19 exposure to subtle differences in newborn brain development and cognitive and emotional outcomes at age two.
Researchers studying prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 found that it was linked to measurable differences in newborn brain structure and, by age two, lower cognitive scores and higher internalizing behaviors.
Led by the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National Hospital, a new study in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity followed mother-baby pairs in the Washington, D.C., region and compared infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy (2020–2022) with a normative pre-pandemic cohort (2016–2019). Researchers used newborn brain MRI scans and standardized toddler developmental assessments to better understand what in-utero exposure may mean as children grow.
The big picture
During past viral outbreaks, prenatal infections have been linked with later neurodevelopmental and mental health risks. The COVID-19 pandemic raised similar concerns, but the longer-term effects of in-utero exposure are still coming into focus.
In this study, researchers prospectively enrolled 142 mother baby pairs: 103 from a pre-pandemic cohort and 39 with confirmed maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Infants underwent quantitative brain MRI scans at about two weeks old during natural sleep and without sedation. When children were about 2 years old, they were assessed by trained pediatric developmental psychologists using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), alongside parent-reported social-emotional and behavioral measures using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA).
The newborn MRI findings showed that prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure was associated with differences in regional brain volumes, including cortical gray matter, subcortical gray matter, cerebral white matter and the left hippocampus, compared to infants from healthy pregnancies.
“At the newborn stage, we’re seeing differences in how specific brain regions are developing after in-utero exposure,” said Nickie Andescavage, MD, neonatologist at Children’s National and a senior author on the study. “Brain imaging allows us to detect these changes very early, before behavioral differences are visible.”
Two-year follow-up
At age two, toddlers exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero scored lower on cognitive measures and social-emotional measures compared with children in the pre-pandemic cohort. They also had higher scores on the internalizing domain of the ITSEA, a reflection of early anxiety symptoms.
The research team used mediation analyses to explore how early brain differences might relate to later outcomes. Their results suggest that differences in newborn cortical gray matter volumes statistically accounted for part of the association between prenatal exposure and lower toddler cognitive scores. In turn, lower cognitive scores statistically mediated part of the association between prenatal exposure and higher internalizing behaviors.
“Our goal was not just to identify differences, but to understand how early brain development after SARS-CoV-2 exposure might relate to later learning and behavioral outcomes,” said Susan Weiner, PhD, lead author of the study and a researcher at Children’s National. “These findings suggest that early changes in brain structure may help explain why we see differences in cognition and emotional development at toddler age.”
Why this matters for families and clinicians
For families, one of the hardest parts of the pandemic has been uncertainty about what it might mean for children born during that period. Most children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero will not have severe developmental problems, and this study does not suggest outcomes are predetermined. But it does add to growing evidence that prenatal exposure may be associated with subtle differences that can be detected early.
The findings reinforce the importance of routine developmental screening and follow-up, especially for children born during the COVID era. Pediatric developmental surveillance is already a standard part of well-child care, and early identification of concerns can connect families with supportive services when they are most effective.
“The most important message is not alarm,” Andescavage said. “It’s awareness and follow-up. Early monitoring helps ensure children get support if and when they need it.”
What’s next
The authors note several limitations. The exposed cohort was relatively small, and the study population had high overall education levels, which may limit how broadly the findings apply across populations. The study also compared a pandemic cohort to a pre-pandemic cohort, making it difficult to fully separate the effects of viral exposure from broader pandemic-related stressors, even though maternal stress and anxiety were assessed.
Larger and more diverse longitudinal studies are now needed to determine whether these early differences persist, change or diminish as children reach school age and to identify factors that may protect or promote healthy development.
For now, the takeaway is practical and actionable: Children born during the COVID era, including those exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero, benefit from consistent developmental screening, and families should feel empowered to raise concerns early.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/covid-mom-feature.jpg300400Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ID-mobile-header.pngInnovation District2026-01-16 11:20:172026-01-16 11:21:32New insights into early brain development following in-utero COVID-19 exposure
In 2025, Innovation District readers gravitated toward stories that explored how research and clinical innovation are reshaping pediatric care in real time. This year’s most popular articles highlighted advances in complex surgical care, evidence-based treatments for chronic and neuropsychiatric conditions and emerging technologies — from wearable data to artificial intelligence — that are changing how clinicians diagnose, treat and support children and families. Read on for our list of the most popular articles we published on Innovation District in 2025.
The Cervical Spine program at Children’s National Hospital is responsible for treating a range of conditions, including trauma, congenital abnormalities and tumors. These conditions can lead to instability or misalignment of the cervical spine. “There are unique challenges in pediatric cases due to anatomical differences. The cervical spines of children are more at risk for injury because of their developmental stage and structural characteristics,” says Matthew Oetgen, MD, MBA, chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National. (2 min. read)
Increasing evidence-based treatment is a key component of the Addictions Program at Children’s National Hospital, created in 2022 and led by Sivabalaji Kaliamurthy, MD. “We really want to focus on intervening in an evidence-based manner in the primary care setting because that is where most of our patients are going to first access care outside of the emergency room,” explains Dr. Kaliamurthy. (3 min. read)
For many children with short stature and other rare genetic growth disorders, there have been no next steps after usual treatment options prove ineffective. Researchers at Children’s National Hospital are digging deeper to find the root genetic causes of short stature disorders and creating novel, nuanced treatment options that have the opportunity to change how the field approaches these cases. (4 min. read)
Denver D. Brown, MD, nephrologist at Children’s National, is looking at whether untreated metabolic acidosis could potentially contribute to cardiovascular outcomes in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, she explains her motivation, findings and future directions for this critical research. (3 min. read)
A multidisciplinary therapy model developed at Children’s National shows promise for children with PANS and PANDAS, significantly reducing symptoms through structured cognitive-behavioral therapy and family-centered care. The approach could offer a new standard for treating these rare, complex neuropsychiatric disorders. (2 min. read)
A study from Children’s National reveals that common wearable devices like Fitbits may hold the key to improving how we identify Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescents. By analyzing patterns in heart rate, activity levels and energy expenditure, researchers were able to predict ADHD diagnoses with striking accuracy, offering a glimpse into a future where objective, real-time data supports earlier and more personalized mental healthcare. (2 min. read)
A novel implantable pacemaker designed specifically for infants has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in stabilizing heart rhythms for at least two years. The multi-center study of 29 infants showed stable pacing, normal electrical parameters and expected battery life, offering a viable alternative to standard-size devices for the smallest children. (2 min. read)
Children who had heart surgery and come from less advantaged neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C., region are much more likely to die in the long term than those from neighborhoods with more wealth and opportunity. The finding was part of a presentation titled, Socioeconomic Disadvantage Is Associated with Higher Long-Term Mortality After Cardiac Surgery, by Jennifer Klein, MD, MPH, cardiologist at Children’s National Hospital, during the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. (2 min. read)
Experts from Children’s National traveled to Uganda to continue work on a pilot program applying artificial intelligence (AI) to the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The team created a tool that uses AI to predict RHD by identifying leaky heart valves on handheld ultrasound devices, then prompts a referral for a full echocardiogram. (2 min. read)
Food insecurity is rising in Washington, D.C. and it’s hitting families with children the hardest. That’s why Children’s National Hospital created the Family Lifestyle Program (FLiP) – a multi-layered intervention, which offers Patient Navigation (FLiP-PN) and a Produce Prescription Intervention (FLiPRx). FLiP is a Food Is Medicine, clinical-community initiative that helps families get access to fresh food, build healthy habits and lower their risk of diet-related diseases like diabetes and obesity. (3 min. read)
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-with-lightbulb-CNRI.jpg385685Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ID-mobile-header.pngInnovation District2025-12-24 15:07:522025-12-24 16:43:36The best of 2025 from Innovation District
In 2025, Children’s National Hospital was featured in major national news outlets for pioneering advances in pediatric care, groundbreaking clinical research and powerful human stories of healing and hope. From gene therapy for sickle cell disease and innovative pacemakers for newborns to breakthrough transplants, cancer trials and emerging mental health concerns like AI psychosis, these stories highlight the hospital’s leadership across the full spectrum of pediatric medicine. The following ten highlights showcase the patients, families and experts behind this impact, as reported by outlets including NBC News, The Washington Post, Good Morning America, USA Today, Healio, ABC News and ESPN.
Children’s National patient Wedam, 19, begins the first steps for intensive gene therapy for sickle cell disease, discussing his skepticism while his mother expresses her joy and gratitude for the treatment. (NBC News)
Charles Berul, MD, pediatric electrophysiologist and emeritus chief of Cardiology, discusses his study highlighting the safety and efficacy of an innovative smaller pacemaker designed for newborns with critical congenital heart disease. (Healio)
Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, senior vice president and chief research officer, and the NexTGen team are poised to recruit patients for a new clinical trial that will take on an old, implacable foe: children’s solid tumors. (The Washington Post)
Yves d’Udekem, MD, PhD, chief of Cardiac Surgery, talked to Good Morning America about how an 11-year-old’s groundbreaking partial heart transplant will change his life and the lives of other children in need of valve replacements. (Good Morning America)
The Lilabean Foundation along with Brian Rood, MD, medical director of the Brain Tumor Institute, talked about how patients like Kasey Zachman are the motivation behind finding a cure for brain cancer. (ABC News)
USA Today Sports spoke with Gavin Brown and his parents, as well as Yi Shi, MD, a pediatric nephrologist at Children’s National Hospital, about their kidney transplant journey. (USA Today)
After Jayden Daniels visited Commanders fan Sarah Addison at Children’s National Hospital while she was being treated for myeloid leukemia, they quickly became friends. (ESPN)
A baby boy in Maryland is back home after being given a second chance at life, just before his first birthday. The boy’s mother and his surgeon, Manan Desai, MD, share the remarkable story of a moment that changed all of their lives. (NBC4)
Ashley Maxie-Moreman, PhD, clinical psychologist, spoke to ABC7 about what AI psychosis is and what parents need to know. (ABC7)
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A new white paper in Developmental Biology outlines a roadmap to uncover the causes of congenital anomalies through better genomic analysis, functional research and patient partnerships.
Congenital anomalies affect more than 6% of live births worldwide. In the United States, about one in every 33 babies is born with one of these conditions. They are a leading cause of infant mortality, childhood hospitalizations and lifelong disability. Yet despite their impact, congenital anomalies remain underrecognized and underfunded, and for many families, unexplained.
That gap between burden and understanding is the focus of a new white paper published in Developmental Biology as part of a special issue on congenital anomalies. The paper brings together five lead authors, more than 60 contributing scientists and clinicians, and endorsements from major scientific societies. Irene Zohn, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics Research at Children’s National Hospital, is among the authors helping shape this field-wide call to action.
The message is simple. We have the tools to identify the causes of many more congenital anomalies, but progress depends on investing, collaborating more effectively and treating patients and families as research partners.
Why so many families still lack answers
Advances in genome sequencing have transformed the search for genetic causes of disease. For some families, sequencing has provided long-awaited answers. For many others, the search continues.
More than half of individuals with congenital anomalies still do not receive a definitive genetic explanation. Even when sequencing is performed, results often include variants of uncertain significance, genetic changes that cannot yet be clearly linked to disease. Families may spend years navigating tests and referrals without answers, often described as the “diagnostic odyssey”. The white paper argues that this reflects system-level gaps rather than a lack of scientific potential.
Two priorities to move the field forward
The authors outline a framework centered on two key investments. First, they call for expanded and improved genomic analysis. This includes broader access to genome sequencing, better analytic tools and stronger data sharing across institutions. It also requires consistent terminology to accurately measure the true scope of congenital anomalies and recognize the magnitude of the problem.
Second, the paper emphasizes the need for mechanistic research. Identifying a genetic variant is only the first step. Researchers must also understand how that variant disrupts development and whether the consequences can be prevented or treated. This requires sustained support for functional studies using cell models, patient-derived tissues and animal systems. Together, these approaches can shorten the diagnostic journey, improve confidence in genetic findings, and accelerate the development of new therapies.
Putting patients and families at the center
A defining feature of the roadmap is its focus on patient partnership. Families should be treated as active participants in research, including through the return of results and clear communication about uncertainties. Genomic data should also be reanalyzed over time, since findings that are unclear today may become meaningful as science advances. Building systems that support this process is essential to improving care.
A pivotal moment for the field
Congenital anomalies are not rare when considered together. They represent a significant public health challenge with lifelong consequences for children and families. Science is advancing rapidly, but progress depends on aligning investment, infrastructure and collaboration with the scale of the problem. This white paper argues that the field is at a turning point. With focused support for genomic diagnosis, functional research and patient-centered partnerships, researchers and clinicians can deliver answers and improve outcomes for children who have waited too long.
You can read the full article, “Challenges and opportunities for understanding the genetic causes of congenital anomalies,” in Developmental Biology here.
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Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., was ranked as a top hospital in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings. This marks the ninth straight year Children’s National has made the Honor Roll list. The Honor Roll is a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide.
For the fifteenth straight year, Children’s National ranked in 10 specialty services and is the highest U.S. News ranked children’s hospital in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Last year, U.S. News introduced pediatric & adolescent behavioral health as a service line in its rankings. While there are no ordinal rankings for behavioral health, the Children’s National program was named one of the top 50 programs in the country for the second year in a row.
“To be named among the nation’s top children’s hospitals for nine years in a row is a reflection of the extraordinary expertise, innovation and heart that our teams bring to every child and family we serve,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Children’s National. “Our leadership in specialties like neurology, cancer, and diabetes and endocrinology underscores the national impact of our work, and we remain focused on setting new standards in pediatric care.”
The annual rankings are the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals and recognizes the nation’s top 50 pediatric hospitals based on a scoring system developed by U.S. News.
“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than just excelling in a single specialty — it means being a pillar of outstanding care for your entire region,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “Our rankings acknowledge these hospitals for their comprehensive excellence, helping families find the very best care conveniently located within their state and community.”
The bulk of the score for each specialty service is based on quality and outcomes data. The process includes a survey of relevant specialists across the country, who are asked to list hospitals they believe provide the best care for patients with the most complex conditions.
The Children’s National specialty services that U.S. News ranked in the top 10 nationally are:
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Children’s National Hospital affiliates will participate in this year’s American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Denver, Colorado, from September 26-30. Below is a schedule of sessions led by professionals from Children’s National:
Allison Markowsky, MD, MSHS, FAAP, attending physician and associate chief for Community Hospital Medicine programs
S2433: What’s Trending in the Newborn Nursery: Controversies and Evidence
Saturday, September 27, 2025
5:30-6:30 PM EDT/EST
Dennis Ren, MD, pediatric emergency medicine physician
H0226: Section on Emergency Medicine Program: Day 2 PEM Hot Topic, EmergiQuiz, PEMPix and State of the Section Awards Saturday, September 27, 2025
10:30 AM-7:30 PM EDT/EST
Natasha Shur, MD, medical geneticist
S2324: Genetic Testing Boot Camp
Saturday, September 27, 2025
4:00-5:00 PM EDT/EST
To view the full schedule along with options to join sessions virtually, please visit the AAP conference website.
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A new study from Children’s National Hospital reveals how a minimally invasive procedure is transforming care for infants with hemimegalencephaly and medically refractory seizures, offering seizure relief with fewer surgical risks.
Until recently, families of infants with hemimegalencephaly and medically refractory seizures had few treatment options, almost all involved major brain surgery such as hemispherectomy, to remove or disconnect the affected portion of the brain. These procedures, while sometimes effective, carry high risks in very young infants due to the fragility of their developing brains and invasive nature of the surgery.
Now, specialists from the Hemimegalencephaly Program at Children’s National Hospital have pioneered a minimally invasive alternative. Leveraging the combined expertise of a multidisciplinary team — spanning neurology, neurointerventional radiology, prenatal pediatrics, neonatology, neurogenetics and neurodevelopmental pediatrics, neuropsychology and neurosurgery — they have developed a technique that induces controlled, targeted strokes in the affected hemisphere using transarterial embolization (TAE). This approach mimics the effect of surgery by reducing seizure activity, without the need for open brain procedures.
This novel strategy is the focus of a new study led by Monica Pearl, MD, director of the Neurointerventional Radiology Program. The research represents the largest retrospective review of its kind, examining 41 TAE procedures performed over an 11-year span in 13 infants under three months of age.
The results are promising: 73% of patients achieved Engel Class I seizure outcomes at follow-up, suggesting that with careful technique and patient selection, TAE may provide meaningful seizure control with fewer perioperative risks than traditional surgery. The study also highlights the technical complexity of the procedure, early complications and the critical role of evolving protocols in ensuring patient safety.
Children’s National Hospital hosted its fifteenth annual Research, Education and Innovation Week from March 31–April 4, 2025, bringing together clinicians, scientists, educators and innovators from across the institution to celebrate discovery and collaboration. This year’s theme, “Empowering the Future in Pediatric Research and Innovation with Equity, Technology and a Global Reach,” served as a call to action for advancing science that improves child health both locally and around the world.
Each day of the week-long event featured thought-provoking lectures — now available to watch — dynamic panel discussions, interactive workshops and vibrant poster sessions, all highlighting the diverse and interdisciplinary work taking place across Children’s National.
Centering the patient and the planet
REI Week began on Monday with a powerful keynote lecture from Lynn R. Goldman, MD, MS, MPH, Michael and Lori Milken dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. In her talk, “Children: Uniquely vulnerable to climate-related threats,” Dr. Goldman underscored the urgent need to protect children from the environmental hazards of a changing climate and to integrate climate science into pediatric care and advocacy.
At mid-morning, Mary-Anne “Annie” Hartley, MD, PhD, MPH, director of the LiGHT Laboratory at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, introduced the “MOOVE” platform — Massive Open Online Validation and Evaluation of clinical LLMs. Her talk demonstrated how artificial intelligence, when rigorously validated, has the potential to transform clinical decision-making and global health equity.
Monday’s final keynote, “Zinc and childhood diarrhea,” was presented by Christopher Duggan, MD, MPH, director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Duggan highlighted the global health impact of zinc supplementation in reducing childhood mortality — a reminder that simple, evidence-based interventions can save millions of lives.
In that first day, the first poster session of the week showcased projects in adolescent medicine, global health, infectious diseases, oncology and more. The session reflected the full breadth of research taking place across Children’s National.
Ambroise Wonkam, MD, PhD, professor of genetic medicine at Johns Hopkins University, then delivered Tuesday’s Global Health Keynote Lecture, “Harnessing our common African genomes to improve health and equity globally.” His work affirmed that inclusive genomics is key to building a healthier world.
Later, the Global Health Initiative event and GCAF Faculty Seminar encouraged attendees to pursue collaborative opportunities at home and abroad, reflecting the growing global footprint of Children’s National research programs.
Transforming education and care delivery
On Wednesday, Larrie Greenberg, MD, professor emeritus of pediatrics, kicked off the day with a Grand Rounds keynote on educational transformation: “Shouldn’t teachers be more collaborative with their learners?” He followed with a CAPE workshop exploring the effectiveness of case-based learning.
In the Jill Joseph Grand Rounds Lecture, Deena J. Chisolm, PhD, director of the Center for Child Health Equity at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, challenged attendees to move beyond dialogue into action in her talk, “Health equity: A scream to a whisper?,” reminding researchers and clinicians that advocacy and equity must be foundational to care.
The day continued with a poster session spotlighting medical education, neonatology, urology and neuroscience, among other fields.
Posters and pathways to progress
Throughout the week, poster sessions highlighted cutting-edge work across dozens of pediatric disciplines. These sessions gave attendees the opportunity to engage directly with investigators and reflect on the shared mission of discovery across multiple disciplines, including:
The REI Week 2025 Awards Ceremony celebrated outstanding contributions in research, mentorship, education and innovation. The winners in each category were:
POSTER SESSION AWARDS
Basic & Translational Research
Faculty: Benjamin Liu, PhD
“Genetic Conservation and Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Gene Across Variants of Concern”
Faculty: Steve Hui, PhD
“Brain Metabolites in Neonates of Mothers with COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy”
Faculty: Raj Shekhar, PhD
“StrepApp: Deep Learning-Based Identification of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Pharyngitis”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Dae-young Kim, PhD
“mhGPT: A Lightweight Domain-Specific Language Model for Mental Health Analysis”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Leandros Boukas, MD, PhD
“De Novo Variant Identification From Duo Long-Read Sequencing: Improving Equitable Variant Interpretation for Diverse Family Structures”
Staff: Naseem Maghzian
“Adoptive T Lymphocyte Administration for Chronic Norovirus Treatment in Immunocompromised Hosts (ATLANTIC)”
Graduate Students: Abigail Haffey
“Synergistic Integration of TCR and CAR T Cell Platforms for Enhanced Adoptive Immunotherapy in Brain Tumors”
High School/Undergraduate Students: Medha Pappula
“An ADHD Diagnostic Interface Based on EEG Spectrograms and Deep Learning Techniques”
Clinical Research
Faculty: Folasade Ogunlesi, MD
“Poor Air Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa is Associated with Increase Health Care Utilization for Pain in Sickle Cell Disease Patients”
Faculty: Ayman Saleh, MD
“Growth Parameters and Treatment Approaches in Pediatric ADHD: Examining Differences Across Race”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Nicholas Dimenstein, MD, MPH
“Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Eligibility in the Pediatric Emergency Department”
Staff: Tayla Smith, MPH
“The Public Health Impact of State-Level Abortion and Firearm Laws on Health Outcomes”
Graduate Students: Natalie Ewing
“Patterns of Bacteriuria and Antimicrobial Resistance in Patients Presenting for Primary Cloacal Repair: Is Assisted Bladder Emptying Associated with Bacteriuria?”
Graduate Students: Manuela Iglesias, MS
“Exploring the Relationship Between Child Opportunity Index and Bayley-III Scores in Young Children”
High School/Undergraduate Students: Nicholas Lohman
“Preliminary Findings: The Efficacy, Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Videoconference Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention for Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Among Children and Young People”
Community-Based Research
Faculty: Sharon Shih, PhD “Assessing Pediatric Behavioral Health Access in DC using Secret Shopper Methodology”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Georgios Sanidas, MD “Arrested Neuronal Maturation and Development in the Cerebellum of Preterm Infants”
Staff: Sanam Parwani
“Intersectionality of Gender and Sexuality Diversity in Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals”
Graduate Student: Margaret Dearey “Assessing the Burden of Period Poverty for Youth and Adolescents in Washington, DC: A Pilot Study”
Quality and Performance Improvement
Faculty: Nichole L. McCollum, MD
“A Quality Improvement Study to Increase Nurse Initiated Care from Triage and Improve Timeliness to Care”
Post docs/Fellows/Residents: Hannah Rodriguez, MD
“Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in a Level IV NICU”
Staff: Amber K. Shojaie, OTD, OTR/L
“Implementing Dynamic Axilla Splints in a Large Burn Patient”
Meleah Boyle, PhD, MPH
“Understanding and Addressing Environmental Sustainability to Protect the Health of the Children’s National and Global Communities”
Eiman Abdulrahman, MD
“Research Capacity Building to Improve Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care in Ethiopia”
Pilot Awards
Alexander Andrews, MD
“EEG as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Severe Pediatric Malaria, Blantyre Malawi”
Daniel Donoho, MD & Timothy Singer, MD
“Feasibility Study of a Novel Artificial Intelligence-Based Educational Platform to Improve Neurosurgical Operative Skills in Tanzania”
Hasan Syed, MD
“Bridging the Gap an Educational Needs Assessment for Pediatric Neurosurgery Training in Pakistan”
Sofia Perazzo, MD & Lamia Soghier, MD, MEd, MBA
“QI Mentorship to Improve Pediatric Screening and Follow-up in Rural Argentina”
Benjamin Liu, PhD
“AI-Empowered Real-Time Sequencing Assay for Rapid Detection of Schistosomiasis in Senegal”
Rae Mittal, MD
“Assessment and Enhancement of Proficiency in Emergency Child Neurology Topics for Post-Graduate Emergency Medicine Trainees in India”
Innovation Day ignites bold thinking
Thursday, REI Week shifted to the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus for Innovation Day, a celebration of how bold ideas and collaborative culture can accelerate progress in pediatric medicine.
REI Week 2025 reaffirmed the values that define Children’s National: a commitment to excellence, collaboration and equity in pediatric research and care. As discoveries continue to emerge from our hospital and our research campuses, the connections built and ideas sparked during this week will help shape the future of pediatric health — locally and globally.
By elevating voices from the bedside to the bench, with the support of the executive sponsors Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MBChB, Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, Kerstin Hildebrandt, MSHS, Linda Talley, MS, RN, NE-BC and David Wessel, MD, REI Week demonstrated that we must embrace the community in all aspects of our work. Because we know that there are answers we can only get from the patients that we serve—and we need to be their voice.
Research, Education & Innovation Week will be back next year on April 13-17, 2026.
Posters at the REI Week 2025 Monday, March 31 poster session.
Panelists discuss innovation during REI Week 2025.
Global Health Initiative community engagement event during REI Week 2025.
Chris Rees presents his REI Week 2025 lecture.
Nathan Kuppermann listens to a presenter during the REI Week 2025 Tuesday, April 1, poster session.
Michelle Riley-Brown, Nathan Kuppermann, Catherine Bollard and Naomi Luban on stage during the REI Week 2025 awards ceremony.
Brandy Salmon presents on innovation programs at Virginia Tech during the REI Week 2025 Innovation Day.
Catherine Bollard listens to a presenter during the REI Week 2025 Monday, March 21 poster session.
Ambroise Wonkman poses for a picture with Children’s National staff.
Tanzeem Choudhury presenting during REI Week 2025.
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A new study out of the Center for Prenatal, Neonatal & Maternal Health Research, directed by Catherine Limperopoulos, PhD, led by Yao Wu, PhD and Stephanie Merhar, MD, MS, out of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, sought answers to the question: “Do brain volumes differ in opioid-exposed vs. unexposed newborns?” In one of the largest studies of this kind, researchers found that prenatal exposure to opioids is associated with smaller brain volumes in newborns. These findings from the landmark Outcomes of Babies with Opioid Exposure (OBOE) study build on, reinforce smaller studies, and achieve a better understanding of the impacts of prenatal opioid exposure (POE).
Dive Deeper
The Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT-NOW)’s OBOE study is a multi-site observational study of newborns with prenatal opioid exposure and a control group of unexposed newborns from four different sites in the United States – Case Western Reserve University, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In a study involving 173 newborns who were exposed to opioids during pregnancy and 96 newborns not exposed to opioids prenatally showed smaller brain sizes in several key areas. Specifically, these exposed babies had smaller total brain volumes, as shown through MRI, as well as reduced volumes in important parts of the brain, including the cortex (outer layer of the brain), deep gray matter (areas that control movement and emotions), white matter (which helps transmit signals in the brain), cerebellum (responsible for coordination and movement), brainstem (controls basic functions like breathing), and the amygdala (involved in emotions and memory).
Further details showed that newborns exposed to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during pregnancy with methadone, had smaller white matter volumes, while those exposed to MOUD with buprenorphine had smaller volumes specifically in the right amygdala. Additionally, newborns who were exposed to opioids plus additional substances such as THC and gabapentin had smaller volumes in even more brain areas compared to those who were only exposed to opioids.
What’s Next
The OBOE study sets the groundwork for further research into the long-term impact of opioid exposure during pregnancy. Additional work is necessary to expand on these findings and how they relate to functions in childhood – including exploring the way these reduced brain volumes may impact cognitive, behavioral, and motor impairments. The study raises important questions about how current guidelines for MOUD during pregnancy – specifically with methadone and buprenorphine – might evolve considering these findings. This study highlights the need for further research to assess the long-term effects of MOUD regimens on both maternal and infant outcomes.
This significant study underscores the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration in opioid exposure research, effective regulation, and policy interventions – involving healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, and affected families – to best mitigate the consequences and improve the health outcomes of children affected by prenatal opioid exposure.
Additional authors from Children’s National include Kushal Kapse, BS, MS, and Josepheen De Asis-Cruz, MD, PhD. Other authors include Carla M. Bann, PhD, Jamie E. Newman, PhD4, Nicole Mack, MS, Sara B. De Mauro, MD, MSCE, Namasivayam Ambalavanan, MD, Jonathan M. Davis, MD, Scott A. Lorch, MD, MSCE5, Deanne Wilson-Costello, MD, Brenda B. Poindexter, MD and Myriam Peralta-Carcelen, MD.
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The Children’s National 2023-2024 Academic Annual Report show on a tablet.
Children’s National Hospital has released its 2023-2024 Academic Annual Report, showcasing a year of transformative progress in pediatric medicine. The report highlights achievements across its research centers, institutes and Innovation Ventures, underscoring the hospital’s role as a leader in advancing child health through innovation and collaboration.
“This year’s report reflects the remarkable progress we have made in advancing the frontiers of pediatric medicine,” said Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, Chief Academic Officer and Chair of Pediatrics. “It highlights groundbreaking work across our research centers, institutes, and Innovation Ventures, showcasing the collaborative spirit that drives our mission forward. These achievements underscore our shared commitment to delivering transformative research and the best possible outcomes for children and families.”
Delivering across centers
The report captures the contributions of each of Children’s National’s research centers, each pushing the boundaries of pediatric healthcare:
Center for Cancer & Immunology Research (CCIR): Delivering on the promise of cell and gene therapies, offering innovative treatments for pediatric cancers and immune disorders.
Center for Genetic Medicine Research (CGMR): Advancing pediatric genetic medicine through interdisciplinary efforts, addressing complex genetic conditions with cutting-edge science.
Center for Neuroscience Research (CNR): A year of growth in scientific excellence, advancing the understanding of brain development and neurological conditions.
Center for Prenatal, Neonatal & Maternal Health Research (CPHNMR): Revolutionizing neonatal care with its pioneering infant brain health neuromonitoring program.
Center for Translational Research (CTR): Facilitating groundbreaking work by new K awardees and driving translational research to bridge the gap between discovery and clinical care.
Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation (SZI): Leading the way in advanced research projects in pediatric surgery, pushing technological boundaries to improve outcomes for children worldwide.
Taking the lead in innovation through collaboration
Innovation Ventures at Children’s National is advancing pediatric health security, addressing unique challenges with transformative solutions. Meanwhile, the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus (CNRIC) continues to thrive as a hub for discovery and collaboration, hosting conferences on topics like artificial intelligence in healthcare, cell and gene therapy, and pediatric epilepsy research.
A vision for the future
The report also highlights Children’s National’s focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence into its research and clinical practices, as well as addressing global health challenges such as the effects of climate change on children’s health. These efforts reflect the hospital’s commitment to improving outcomes for children everywhere through innovation, teamwork, and forward-thinking leadership.
The 2023-2024 Academic Annual Report serves as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Children’s National community, showcasing how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare.
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Dr. du Plessis joins a distinguished group of Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair.
Children’s National Hospital named Adré Jacques du Plessis, M.B.Ch.B., as The People of the United Arab Emirates Distinguished Professor of Prenatal Pediatrics.
Dr. du Plessis serves as director of the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, division chief of Prenatal and Transitional Pediatrics and director of the Prenatal-Neonatal Neuroscience Program at Children’s National. In addition, Dr. du Plessis is a professor of pediatrics and neurology at George Washington University School of Medicine.
The big picture
Dr. du Plessis joins a distinguished group of Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Children’s National is grateful to generous donors who altogether have funded 49 professorships.
Professorships support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These prestigious appointments reflect the recipient’s achievements and a donor’s commitment to advancing and sustaining knowledge.
Why it matters
Dr. du Plessis is a leading international expert in the normal and abnormal development of the brain, as well as the mechanisms of injury to the immature brain. Under his leadership, the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute provides personalized specialty care to patients before, during and after their baby’s birth. His career-long research focus has been on the nervous system of the fetus and newborn, and the hazards for, and mechanisms of, brain injury and its prevention.
Moving the field forward
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established this distinguished professorship as part of its recent philanthropic commitment to Children’s National, which is set to further life-changing research breakthroughs and care for children worldwide. The UAE’s visionary generosity enables Dr. du Plessis and future holders of this professorship to launch bold new initiatives. The professorship will offer a platform to advance the field of prenatal, neonatal and maternal research and care while elevating our leadership and improving outcomes for children who need neonatal care.
Children’s National has been honored to treat patients from the UAE for more than 30 years, with more than 100 Emirati families traveling between the Emirates and Children’s National each year for advanced pediatric care and life-saving treatments.
The UAE’s long-standing philanthropic partnership with Children’s National has resulted in the 2009 establishment of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation (SZI), the 2021 launch of the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus, 82 U.S. patents and countless medical breakthroughs for kids and their families. Through this transformational partnership, the UAE and Children’s National are unlocking new possibilities for pediatric medicine and accomplishing what once was thought impossible. Children’s National remains deeply grateful to the UAE for its extraordinary support.
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In 2024, Children’s National Hospital continued to make remarkable strides across diverse areas of pediatric medicine, from groundbreaking technological innovations to critical health advocacy. The following compilation showcases ten significant stories that demonstrate the breadth and depth of the hospital’s impact, as featured in major national news outlets including NBC Nightly News, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, The Today Show, Healio, and POLITICO. Delve into our 2024 news highlights for more.
Charles Berul, M.D., and a patient family talk about the pill-sized pacemaker that saved the life of Abby, an infant born with deadly heart defects. (NBC Nightly News)
Sivabalaji Kaliamurthy, M.D., addiction psychiatrist and director of the Addictions Program, spoke to CNN about the impact of drug addiction on teen health and the lack of resources available to treat opioid use disorder. (CNN)
Susma Vaidya, M.D., M.P.H., associate medical director of the IDEAL Clinic, shared her concerns about childhood obesity treatment recommendations issued today by a leading panel of independent U.S. health experts. (The Washington Post)
Shideh Majidi, M.D., M.S.C.S., and Emily Frymark, clinical dietitian, spoke about how the food pharmacy, created in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank, benefits patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions. (The Washington Post)
Kendric Cromer, a 12-year-old boy being treated at Children’s National Hospital, became the first person in the world with sickle cell disease to begin a commercially approved gene therapy that may cure the condition. “This is a big effort,” says David Jacobsohn, M.D., ScM, M.B.A. (The New York Times)
Mikael Petrosyan, M.D., associate chief of General and Thoracic Surgery, discusses the stress medical staff face when treating young victims of gun violence. (NPR)
Landon, an 11-year-old patient, rang the bell at Children’s National Hospital with family, friends, doctors and nurses cheering after finishing his final round of chemotherapy. (The Today Show)
Monika Goyal, M.D., M.S.C.E., pediatric emergency medicine specialist and co-director of the Center for Translational Research, emphasized the need for awareness in addressing period poverty in teenagers and young adults. (Healio)
Kolaleh Eskandanian, Ph.D., M.B.A., P.M.P., vice president and chief innovation officer, participates in a panel discussion covering AI data collection, associated risks, reliance and other topics related to artificial intelligence. (POLITICO)
Children’s National patient Kendric Cromer, 12, became one of the first children ever to be treated with a newly approved gene therapy that will free him from the sickle cell disease that has stolen his childhood. (The New York Times)
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2024 marked another groundbreaking year for Children’s National Hospital, showcasing remarkable advances across the spectrum of pediatric medicine, research and healthcare innovation. From pioneering surgical procedures to breakthrough artificial intelligence applications, the institution continued to push the boundaries of what’s possible in children’s healthcare. Read on for our list of the most popular articles we published on Innovation District in 2024.
A study led by researchers at Children’s National Hospital showed that babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic have differences in the size of certain structures in the brain, compared to infants born before the pandemic. The findings suggest that exposure to the coronavirus and being pregnant during the pandemic could play a role in shaping infant brain development. (3 min. read)
Children’s National Hospital was ranked as a top hospital in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings. This marks the eighth straight year Children’s National has made the Honor Roll list. The Honor Roll is a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide. (2 min. read)
In January 2023, a team of multidisciplinary doctors performed the first case in the world of using bilateral high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) pallidotomy on Jesus, a 22-year-old patient with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. The procedure is part of a clinical trial led by Chima Oluigbo, M.D., pediatric neurosurgeon at Children’s National Hospital. (3 min. read)
A novel ultrasound device developed by Bloom Standard received the Food and Drug Administration’s valued breakthrough device designation with the help of Children’s National Hospital. The device that enables autonomous, hands-free ultrasound scans to be performed anywhere, by any user. (2 min. read)
Understanding the effects of Lyme disease on the developing fetal brain is essential to ensure timely prenatal and postnatal treatments to protect the fetus and newborn. In response to this need, Children’s National Hospital is leading a pilot study to establish the groundwork needed for a larger study to determine the effect of in utero exposure to Lyme disease on pregnancy and early childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes. (3 min. read)
Five years ago, Cayden was born 6 weeks early weighing less than four pounds and at risk of dying from her critical congenital heart disease. Today, she’s a happy five-year-old. Early diagnosis of her hypoplastic right ventricle, double inlet left ventricle and critical coarctation of the aorta allowed for the team at Children’s National Hospital to create a careful plan for safe delivery and to offer an innovative hybrid HLHS surgical approach at the hospital within 24 hours after she was born. (1 min. read)
Children’s National Hospital appointed Wayne J. Franklin, M.D., F.A.C.C., as the new senior vice president (SVP) of the Children’s National Heart Center. In this role, Dr. Franklin oversees the full spectrum of heart care services including cardiac imaging and diagnostics, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac anesthesia, cardiac surgery and cardiac intensive care. (2 min. read)
By pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) innovation programs at Children’s National Hospital, Marius George Linguraru, D.Phil., M.A., M.Sc., and the AI experts he leads are ensuring patients and families benefit from a coming wave of technological advances. The team is teaching AI to interpret complex data that could otherwise overwhelm clinicians. (4 min. read)
Painting a sobering picture, a research team led by Children’s National Hospital culled years of data demonstrating that maternal mental illness is an under-recognized contributor to the death of new mothers. They called for urgent action to address this public health crisis. (3 min. read)
Children’s National Hospital appointed Nathan Kuppermann, M.D., M.P.H., as its new executive vice president, chief academic officer and chair of Pediatrics. In this role, Dr. Kuppermann oversees research, education and innovation for the Children’s National Research Institute as well as academic and administrative leadership in the Department of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Services. (2 min. read)
Researchers from Children’s National Hospital presented findings from the first clinical trial of the medication vosoritide for children with hypochondroplasia – a rare genetic growth disorder. During the phase 2 trial, researchers found vosoritide increased the growth rate in children with hypochondroplasia, allowing them to grow on average an extra 1.8 cm per year. (2 min. read)
Since its establishment in July 2023, the Center for Prenatal, Neonatal & Maternal Health Research at Children’s National Hospital has gained recognition through high-impact scientific publications, featuring noteworthy studies exploring the early phases of human development. (3 min. read)
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Mary Donofrio, MD, medical director of Prenatal Cardiology at Children’s National, and other dedicated pediatric cardiologists working in this evolving specialty have spent most of the last two decades defining the field.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) can be detected in utero with precision and accuracy. With advanced technology, identification of a problem happens earlier than ever, including identifying details that predict whether a baby may be dangerously sick at birth. This gives fetal and pediatric cardiologists time to make plans for delivery and specialized care immediately after birth. These critical first moments can be the key to survival for infants with the most complicated defects.
Mary Donofrio, MD, medical director of Prenatal Cardiology at Children’s National Hospital, and other dedicated pediatric cardiologists working in this evolving specialty have spent most of the last two decades defining the field and demonstrating the importance of making sure every child with a congenital heart defect is diagnosed as early as possible to give them the best chance for a healthy life.
Children’s National leads the way
Children’s National performs more than 4,000 fetal ultrasounds each year to detect and manage the unborn child with congenital heart disease, making it one of the most experienced centers in the United States at finding these conditions and planning for their care.
For more than 20 years, every fetus diagnosed with congenital heart disease at Children’s National following an obstetrician referral has their anticipated level of delivery room care assigned by a fetal cardiologist. Protocols were created at Children’s National and validated to establish specialized delivery room management for each patient. The management plan includes specifics about the time and place of delivery and which delivery room staff members are required for stabilization and care after birth based on the severity of the condition.
The outcomes from this approach were published in a landmark 2013 study showing the impact on improving outcomes for infants with the most serious forms of congenital heart disease. Since then, these protocols have become part of more extensive fetal cardiology care guidelines that are in use both at Children’s National and around the world.
“The guidelines we wrote include recommendations about who should get a fetal echo, how to do a fetal echo, how to manage babies in utero including when a fetal intervention might be necessary, and finally how to decide the level of cardiology care that should be present in the delivery room,” according to Donofrio, who served as lead author.
In Washington, D.C., approximately 60 to 75% of congenital heart defects are diagnosed before a baby is born, giving doctors and other care providers critical days, weeks and months to plan how best to protect the fragile infant during their transition into the world from the safe haven of their mother’s body.
What’s next
Fetal imaging guidelines tell obstetricians which expecting mothers should be referred for a fetal ultrasound given a higher level of risk for CHD over the population risk. However, most women do not have any risk factors that will trigger additional testing beyond obstetrical screening. Also, many families even if referred are far from a center that is qualified to perform a fetal echocardiogram to detect these conditions.
Research at Children’s National, led by Anita Krishan, MD, and Dr. Donofrio in collaboration with the Fetal Heart Society, an international research collaborative, showed that in the U.S., factors such as socio-economic status, ethnicity and geography are important barriers to detection of severe congenital heart diseases such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome and transposition of the great arteries.
In a follow-up study by Jennifer Klein, MD, and Dr. Krishnan, distance was not the only barrier to detecting CHD, however. Geo-mapping technology using zip codes allowed the team at Children’s National to pinpoint “hot spots” where detection is decreased, even in places where care should be available. The Heart Center team is hoping to work with providers in these neighborhoods to improve access to care and help educate local clinic providers about how to image and when to refer for further testing.
Donofrio and colleagues are also working to develop ways to improve the diagnosis of fetal heart disease in places that are far from the Heart Center. This includes exploring more portable diagnostic tools and applying telehealth strategies to connect fetal heart experts with local care providers to make an action plan, before a baby arrives potentially in distress. In addition, a phone-based application is under development to help sonographers to identify abnormal images in real time during routine scans in remote locations. Improved detection rates have also opened the doors to powerful new studies investigating how maternal health and stress impacts brain development in fetuses with congenital heart disease. Ongoing research looks at ways to better support expecting mothers, with the goal of helping moms cope with stress during pregnancy so her baby has the best chance possible to be born healthy and strong.
Donofrio says she won’t stop until in utero detection of congenital heart disease is 100%. “Where you live, your neighborhood, your life experience or how far you live from the Heart Center, should not decrease our ability to do everything possible to care for every baby and achieve the best outcome possible,” she says.
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Growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood changes a child’s brain even before birth. These new findings, in the latest edition of The Journal of Pediatrics, underscore the need to support young families from a baby’s earliest days.
According to this new research from the Center for Prenatal, Neonatal & Maternal Health Research at Children’s National Hospital, exposure to neighborhood disadvantage lessens the functional integration of neural networks in the fetal brain, as seen on functional MRIs of healthy babies. The center compared the brains of 68 healthy babies on 79 scans. Researchers then mapped details about neural activity to a “social vulnerability index” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicates proximity to environmental stressors.
“We specifically looked at brain architecture to see how easily information flows between different regions,” said Kevin Cook, Ph.D., research faculty at the center and the manuscript’s first author. “To do this, we used graph theory, which borrows concepts from social network theory. It’s widely applied in computer science to understand how information flows within groups, and neuroscience has adapted it to study how information travels within the brain.”
What we found
Dr. Cook said researchers focused on the three metrics:
Path length, which measures how many stops information needs to make along its way through the brain.
Global efficiency, which measures the overall efficiency of the entire brain’s network.
Small-world propensity, which describes how the brain’s network is organized and indicates how well the brain is organized into smaller, efficient networks.
As social vulnerability increased, the research team found global efficiency decreased, meaning the brain’s neural network was less efficient. The path lengths were also longer in children with greater neighborhood disadvantage, reinforcing the global efficiency findings.
The fine print
The under-development and over-development of fetal brains may contribute to neurological disorders, such as autism, epilepsy and other conditions of interest to researchers. Yet science’s understanding of how the brain matures in utero is still limited.
In this study, researchers found a notable difference related to age. At the youngest gestational ages, path lengths are longer, and both global efficiency and small world propensity are lower. As the fetus gets closer to term, path length and global efficiency show rapid maturation and less advantaged fetuses catch up to their peers who have greater advantages.
Researchers saw the same findings for small-world propensity, but the maturation didn’t stop. These unborn babies overshot their peers and had greater small-world propensity, suggesting their brains are divided into a greater number of smaller networks than their advantaged peers.
“We believe that length and global efficiency are on a trend to overshoot,” Dr. Cook said. “These findings are notable because they agree with what we know about older children and adolescents. Greater disadvantage is associated with hyper- or over-maturation of the brain. Our findings suggest that this may be starting even before birth.”
What’s ahead
While still early, this research improves the understanding of how environmental complexities can impact an unborn baby. Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., director of the research center, which opened in 2023, said this work will be foundational as they continue to study the impact of a child’s environment on development.
“These findings have important implications for understanding how status and disadvantage may have a cumulative effect on fetal brain development,” Dr. Limperopoulos said. “We must study and consider how to conceptualize the impact of socioenvironmental disadvantage in communities to better care for children and work to improve outcomes.”
Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., was ranked as a top hospital in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings. This marks the eighth straight year Children’s National has made the Honor Roll list. The Honor Roll is a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide.
This year, U.S. News ended ordinal rankings on its Honor Roll. Instead of assigning a numerical rank from 1 to 10, all hospitals on the Honor Roll will be recognized as having attained the highest standards of care in the nation.
In addition, Children’s National tied for #1 pediatric hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, West Virginia and Virginia. It’s also best in the Mid-Atlantic in Neonatology.
For the fourteenth straight year, Children’s National ranked in 10 specialty services. New this year, U.S. News included behavioral health as a service line in the rankings. Since it’s the first year, there are no ordinal rankings for behavioral health, but the Children’s National program was named one of the top 50 programs in the country.
“In my first year here, I witnessed what makes Children’s National so special — our commitment to collaboration, empowering one another, and charting a bold path forward for pediatric care,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Children’s National. “I’m proud U.S. News again recognized Children’s National as one of the top in the nation and the highest-ranked pediatric hospital in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Together, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of care, research and innovation to make a difference for those who matter most — the kids.”
The annual rankings are the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals and recognizes the nation’s top 50 pediatric hospitals based on a scoring system developed by U.S. News.
“For nearly two decades, U.S. News has published Best Children’s Hospitals to empower the parents and caregivers of children with complex medical needs,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “Children’s hospitals appearing on the U.S. News Honor Roll have a track record of delivering unparalleled specialized care.”
The bulk of the score for each specialty service is based on quality and outcomes data. The process includes a survey of relevant specialists across the country, who are asked to list hospitals they believe provide the best care for patients with the most complex conditions.
The Children’s National specialty services that U.S. News ranked in the top 10 nationally are:
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“It is a market failure that we are dealing with – a lack of incentives leading to a stagnation in innovation with respect to small markets, such as pediatrics. Children’s National Hospital and our partners in other children’s hospitals in the country play a critical role in making noise and sending a message that children should not be an afterthought.”
Hear more from Kolaleh Eskandanian, Ph.D., M.B.A., during her recent appearance at POLITICO. As vice president and chief innovation officer at Children’s National and Alliance for Pediatric Device Innovation principal investigator, Dr. Eskandanian shared her approach to engaging with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies for pediatric healthcare. To date, she noted, the FDA has authorized 950 healthcare-related technologies enabled with AI and machine learning.
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His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (right) visited Children’s National in September 2024.
Continuing a 30-year partnership that has yielded 82 U.S. patents and countless medical breakthroughs for kids and their families, the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strengthened its transformational commitment to Children’s National Hospital with a new $35 million donation focused on prenatal, neonatal and maternal health.
The announcement of the new gift comes after a recent visit to the hospital by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who met with Emirati families and patients receiving care at Children’s National Hospital.
The investment is the latest chapter of a longstanding philanthropic partnership between the UAE and Children’s National. Each year, more than 100 Emirati families travel to Children’s National for advanced pediatric care and life-saving treatments.
Researchers in the Center for Prenatal, Neonatal & Maternal Health Research are focused on the role of perinatal factors — including maternal stress, anxiety and depression — on the developing brain of the child. Studies also are revealing the impact of congenital anomalies such as heart disease and acquired conditions such as maternal infection with COVID-19 or Zika virus. New approaches to prenatal and postnatal care promise to optimize long-term outcomes of many hospitalized babies.
“Children in the Washington, D.C., area and across the world benefit greatly from the breakthroughs that have emerged from the incredible decades-long partnership between the UAE and Children’s National,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, President and CEO of Children’s National. “I am deeply grateful for the UAE’s most recent gift. The contribution will positively impact children and families and support the teams of researchers and specialists who dedicate their lives to developing innovative medical care.”
Key milestones
The UAE helped to establish the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National in 2009. Today, the Sheikh Zayed Institute (SZI) has grown into a world-class, self-sustaining research center receiving more than 80% of its funding from grants and outside sources.
This platform for invention is advancing autonomous, robotic surgery. The institute’s researchers believe pediatric surgical outcomes will improve if the precision and delicacy of a robot are incorporated into procedures such as gallbladder removal. SZI is also propelling the use of artificial intelligence to improve pediatric medicine and expand health equity. One example is a deep learning algorithm that uses hand-held ultrasounds to detect early signs of rheumatic heart disease, which kills nearly 400,000 people worldwide each year.
“The lives and health of countless children and families in the Washington area, in the UAE and around the world have been transformed by our partnership,” said Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the United States. “Our continued support promises even more breakthrough innovations in pediatric medicine.”
The UAE also supported the opening of the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus through a 2019 commitment. The campus represents the first pediatric innovation hub of its kind, where scientists, inventors, caregivers, patients’ families and health authorities come together to advance pediatric health.
The Children’s National Rare Disease Institute and Center for Genetic Medicine Research are two of the teams housed at the campus. Together, they are pioneering care for children in the Washington region and abroad as an international referral site for rare disorders. Two examples of their research endeavors include: next-generation genomic testing to better understand how differences in genetic material can affect human health and identifying biochemical analytes.
The UAE opened a medical office in Washington, D.C., in 1991. Since then, thousands of Emirati patients have visited Children’s National for life-changing care for conditions such as congenital heart disease, neurological disorders and cancer. The hospital is currently treating 40 Emirati patients.
“Having our child treated at Children’s National means accessing specialized pediatric care from a renowned institution dedicated to children’s health,” said Hamad Alnuaimi, an Emirati father of a Children’s National patient. “It provides us with confidence and reassurance that our son is receiving the best possible medical attention from experts who understand and prioritize the unique needs of children. For the UAE to have a strong relationship with Children’s National signifies a valuable connection that enhances pediatric healthcare in our country. This partnership allows us to benefit from advanced treatments, medical innovations, and expertise that might otherwise be inaccessible. It represents a commitment to improving the health and well-being of children through international collaboration.”
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/UAE-visit-CNRI.jpg385685Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ID-mobile-header.pngInnovation District2024-09-26 09:00:002024-10-29 15:21:53New philanthropic support from the United Arab Emirates furthers research breakthroughs and care
Wayne J. Franklin, M.D., F.A.C.C., recently joined Children’s National Hospital as senior vice president of the Children’s National Heart Center. In that role, he oversees the full spectrum of heart care services which includes comprehensive care, as he puts it, from twinkle — when a child is barely more than a twinkle in their mother’s eye — to wrinkles — or throughout the lifespan.
During his first week, Dr. Franklin answered questions about his vision for the Children’s National Heart Center and told the team more about his clinical and research priorities.
Q: Why did you choose Children’s National?
A: Children’s National has such a long history of caring for the children and families in the community — over 150 years. This is a hospital taking fantastic care of patients now, but also planning for the future and the future of healthcare specifically. And I wanted to be part of that team. We know health care is ever changing and I want to be ahead of that, really providing the best care possible for today’s patients and about how to plan the ideal care for tomorrow’s patients.
I’m also excited to work with Children’s National President and CEO Michelle Riley-Brown. When I worked with her previously, I found out she’s a fantastic leader. I know she’s already started to do amazing things for Children’s National and the community.
Q: What is your vision for Children’s National Heart Center?
A: My vision for the heart center is to organize, coordinate and optimize all the different aspects of caring for children with heart problems.
It’s a complicated process. There’s intensive care in the hospital, ambulatory care in the clinic, acute care and emergency care. One of my roles is to coalesce all of those facets to provide total care for people from the prenatal period through birth and beyond into the teenage years, adulthood and even parenthood and grandparenthood.
I think we’re well-equipped to do that here at Children’s National.
As part of our commitment to providing the best care for patients and their families, we also plan to rely on our patient-family advisory council and our family-centered care approach. We take patient and family concerns to heart and want to continue bringing that information together with our world-class clinical care. That’s how we’ll be sure to provide great outcomes now and down the road.
Q: How is research a part of your vision for the Heart Center?
A: Research is critical to cardiac disease in children, especially in Washington, D.C. I think we’re very fortunate because people here at Children’s National are doing groundbreaking research and we work close to truly great scientific organizations like the George Washington University and the National Institutes of Health. Some of our heart center faculty actually work at the NIH too.
The top centers in the country, including Children’s National, are involved with cutting-edge innovation and research alongside clinical care and a big part of my job is to support these efforts to translate this science and help improve health outcomes for our patients.
Q: Why did you choose to work in the field of pediatric cardiology?
A: While children with heart problems can become very sick, our advances in cardiac surgery, catheter interventions, cardiac intensive care and anesthesia allow us to work together to make them better reasonably quickly. To be able to provide them that care is really rewarding. Our team can really impact their health for a lifetime.
Q: What research are you, personally, interested in?
A: The research that I’m particularly interested in involves the full gamut of cardiac disease, from single ventricle physiology to pulmonary hypertension to fetal cardiology to women with heart disease. Fortunately, here at Children’s National there is a strong research infrastructure and some fantastic physician scientists.
Q: How did your interest in pediatric cardiology evolve into a specialty in adult congenital heart disease?
A: When these kids grow up, they become adults with heart disease that is caused by their congenital heart lesions. It’s a different type of heart disease than an age-related heart attack, high cholesterol or stroke. I focused on this area many years ago because there are now more adults with congenital heart disease than children.
Currently, there is a need for more adult congenital heart disease specialists and there will continue to be need for even more in the future. I’m fortunate to join one of the best adult congenital heart programs in the country by coming to Children’s National.
Q:How do you spend your free time when you aren’t here at the hospital?
A: I work a lot but when I get time away from work, I love to spend my it with my family and I’m lucky to have a truly spectacular wife. In December, we’ll celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and it’s been an extraordinary and exciting ride. We have two wonderful kids, both teenagers. Being a father myself has given me a different perspective about taking care of children throughout their lifetimes.
Q: What’s your favorite Washington, D.C., monument?
A: I always have to go back to the Lincoln Memorial. It was the first monument I saw on an 8th grade trip. I still remember the moment when I first walked up there…you see him. Incredible. He is literally larger than life, it’s just breathtaking. I think I’ll always remember that feeling.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Wayne-J.-Franklin-feature.png400300Innovation Districthttps://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ID-mobile-header.pngInnovation District2024-07-22 11:38:382024-09-06 14:12:01Optimized congenital heart care ‘from twinkle to wrinkle’: Q&A with Wayne Franklin
Children’s National is ranked one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our faculty and staff are proud of the impact made on the lives of children and families in our community. Your participation in the U.S. News & World Report annual reputational survey validates the quality of care we provide and reflects the mutual respect and trust we share as healthcare professionals.
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