+1-202-476-5778 Neonatology
At Children’s National Hospital, the Division of Neonatology is dedicated to providing the highest level of expert, compassionate care for your newborn baby. Our division, led by Billie Lou Short, M.D., possesses the top neonatologists in the country and has a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), administering the most advanced treatments to our tiniest patients.
Ranked Number Two in the United States for Neonatal Care
We know that having a baby with complex conditions can be difficult for you and your family, and we’re here to support you through every step of your journey. Our team is uniquely qualified to treat your baby with the most innovative therapies available.
Highlights of our program include:
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Ranked Number Two in the Nation
U.S. News & World Report ranks our neonatology program #2 in the United States, reflecting our commitment to excellence in care for our patients and families.
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Level IV NICU
Children’s National has one of the only Level IV NICUs in the Washington, D.C., area, offering the highest level of care for premature and ill newborns. -
High-Risk Prenatal Care
Our prenatal pediatrics team specializes in high-risk pregnancies – diagnosing your baby in utero (in the womb) and providing a treatment plan for delivery and after birth. -
ECMO Breathing Therapy
In 1984, Children’s National became the first children’s hospital to offer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which acts as an artificial set of heart and lungs for critically ill infants. Our program is now one of the largest in the country for infants and is designated as an ECMO Center of Excellence. -
Nutrition and Feeding Program
The experts in our Neonatal Nutrition Program work closely to evaluate your baby’s growth and nutrition during their hospital stay. Additionally, we help families with lactation and breastfeeding needs and give our patients access to the Donor Milk Program. -
Special Monitoring for Brain Health
The Neonatal Neurology and Neurocritical Care Program offers patients access to neonatal neurologists who regularly monitor developmental progress and research brain injury prevention and management. -
Child Development Program
Our Child Development Clinic evaluates more than 1,500 children each year, ranging in age from birth to 4 years old. Our specialists will work with you to address developmental concerns. -
Regional NICUs
We partner with several community hospitals in Virginia and Maryland to provide greater access to our NICU services. -
Family Support
We offer a full range of support services to help ease the stress on your family during your baby’s hospital stay. You’ll have access to a dedicated care team consisting of a family support specialist, social worker, case manager and child life specialist who will follow your family throughout your time in the NICU.
The Importance of a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
While most babies are born healthy, some newborns are premature or may have health problems, requiring care in a NICU. The American Academy of Pediatrics designates NICUs by the level of care available. At Children’s National, our NICU is designated Level IV, providing the highest level of neonatal care for the more than 800 babies we see each year.
Our NICU has clinical teams who can take care of babies who need special surgery for birth defects and other disorders. Your baby will also be treated by pediatric subspecialists, specialized nurses and state-of-the-art equipment that can care for the most complex conditions.
Contact Our Global Services Team
If your child needs treatment and care, our global services team can help set up a consultation.
We're here to support you on your international care journey. We have been caring for international patients and their families for more than 20 years and will serve as your dedicated partner as you travel for care – setting up your medical appointments, recommending travel accommodations and lodging, and ensuring that your cultural and religious needs are being met.
For more information or to make an appointment contact us at +1-202-476-5778 or by email at globalservices@childrensnational.org.
If you are interested in your child becoming a Children’s National Hospital patient, please fill out our intake form.
