KATHERINE M. OTTOLINI, M.D. Attending, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Katherine M. Ottolini, M.D., is an attending neonatologist at Children’s National Hospital and has collaborated with the Developing Brain Institute (DBI) on research since 2018. Dr. Ottolini first became interested in neonatal nutrition while working as a pediatric resident at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Under the mentorship of Dr. Catherine Limperopoulos as a Neonatal-Perinatal Fellow at Children’s National, she utilized advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the effects on early nutrition on the preterm developing brain, including the impact of macronutrients and breast milk intake. Dr. Ottolini continued to work with DBI remotely for four years while serving in the U.S. Air Force as a neonatologist
based in Okinawa, Japan. Since returning to DBI at Children’s National in September 2022, she remains focused on using advanced MRI techniques to evaluate the effects of early nutritional interventions on preterm brain development, with the aim of optimizing growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Address: 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
Email: [email protected]
Department: MRI Lab
Research, Education and Innovation Week 2024 awards
Kocher K, Ngwa J, Galla JT, Basu SK, Ottolini K, Andescavage N, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C. Early epigenetic biomarkers of accelerated aging in extremely versus very preterm infants. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024. (Certificate of Excellence awarded to lead author, Kristen Kocher. Basic Science: Fellow Award.)
Recent publications & presentations
2024 | April
Watson TT, Ottolini K, Basu S, Kapse K, Murnick J, Andescavage N, du Plessis A, Saulino P, Limperopoulos C. Timing and growth failure in very premature infants and implications for brain development. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Ottolini KM, Andescavage N, Basu SK, Kapse K, Watson T, Murnick J, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C. Type of intravenous lipid emulsion affects very preterm brain development. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Spurney G, Gala J, Basu S, Ottolini K, Andescavage N, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C. High prevalence of low dietary intake of choline in mothers of preterm infants. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Rich C, Kapse K, Ngwa J, Galla JT, Basu S, Ottolini K, Andescavage N, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C. Altered regional cerebral blood flow in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
2023
Lundberg RS, Basu SK, Andescavage N, Pradhan S, Ottolini KM, Kapse KJ, Limperopoulos C. Early parenteral lipid intake improves cerebellar neurometabolism in preterm infants. Children’s National Hospital 13th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2023. (Award-winning poster: Clinical research: Fellows/residents)