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.