The division currently has the most experience in the world with infants with inherited causes of neonatal respiratory failure, including surfactant protein-B deficiency and ABCA3 deficiency, as well as the genomics of birth defects (Jennifer Wambach, MD, MS). In addition, we have several experts in the enteric microbiome (Barbara Warner, MD, MS) necrotizing enterocolitis and neonatal neurology (Zachary Vesoulis, MD and Cynthia Ortinau, MD).
The neonatal intensive care unit at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is also experienced in the evaluation of infants for solid organ transplantation, including heart, lung and liver transplantation. The division also offers long-term follow up for patients with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia once a month on Thursdays. This multidisciplinary cooperative effort includes pediatric surgery and newborn medicine faculty (Tasnim Najaf, MD and Patrick Sloan, MD) who provide long-term follow up for these infants.
The division maintains an active neonatal database and is a member of the Vermont-Oxford Network and the Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Consortium collaborative. The division provides other educational opportunities through webcasts of divisional meetings, regional conferences, informal presentations and practitioner participation in clinical services. These opportunities can be developed and arranged through SLCH Physician Services.
The division has experience in international clinical and research collaborations, including the U.K., Netherlands, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. In additionm WashU/SLCH sub-specialists visit Juticalpa, Honduras annually to provide multidisciplinary evaluations and care for infants and children, some of whom come to SLCH for treatment. This is a Washington University School of Medicine Pediatrics Away Rotation and a wonderful global health opportunity for our Pediatric Residents and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellows.