The Fairfax Neonatal Associates NICU at Inova Children’s Hospital Inova Children's Hospital is home to the largest, most comprehensive subspecialty neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the region. Our 108-bed, Level IV NICU cares for high-risk infants requiring specialized care and observation. (See information further down the page about NICU services at other Inova locations.) Among the Best in the Nation for Neonatology Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital has been named one of the Top 50 Hospitals in the United States for neonatology care by U.S. News and World Report.

Inova Loudoun Hospital's new 24-bed expanded Level III NICU opened in April 2020 and is Loudoun County’s highest level NICU. It provides around-the-clock observation and care for premature and sick infants as young as 28 weeks. Board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), respiratory therapists, physical therapists, speech-language therapists, lactation consultants and dietitians offer expert care and educational and emotional support for families.

Some newborns experience hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) at birth. This abnormal neurological state results from reduced levels of oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow (ischemia) to the baby's brain or body.  Over the past several years, therapeutic hypothermia, or whole body cooling, has been used to treat HIE. Neonatologists at Inova Children's Hospital recommend this cooling treatment to help protect your baby's brain. By slowing the metabolism, there is evidence the procedure may reduce death and disability in babies with encephalopathy.