ADRÉ J. DU PLESSIS, M.B.CH.B. Director of the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute
Adré J. du Plessis, M.B.Ch.B., directs the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute as well as the Prenatal-Neonatal Neurology Program at Children’s National Hospital. In addition, Dr. du Plessis is a Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the George Washington University School of Medicine. His expertise is in normal and abnormal development of the brain, as well as the mechanisms of injury to the immature brain. His research focuses, in particular, on environmental factors that influence normal and abnormal
brain development in the third trimester, both in utero and in the premature ex-utero environment. Thirty years ago, Dr. du Plessis was the founding director of the first dedicated clinical program for Neonatal (and later Fetal-Neonatal) Neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard’s Longwood-area neonatal intensive care units. He has a strong track record of mentoring the next generation of prenatal-neonatal neurologists, as evidenced by his development of the first dedicated clinical research program for the immature brain, supported initially by philanthropic funds, subsequently by a National Institutes of Health K24 award (NS057568), and most recently by a T32 Training Award (NICHD). Since becoming Chief of Prenatal and Transitional Medicine and Director of the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute at Children’s National, Dr. du Plessis has overseen the development of a multidisciplinary clinical, research and training program with a unique focus on the developing brain. The Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute is pioneering a continuum of care for children, starting in utero and across the transition from prenatal to postnatal life.
Address: 111 Michigan Ave. NW; Washington, D.C., 20010
Email: fetalbrain@childrensnational.org
Department: The Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute
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.)
Wu Y, Niforatos-Andescavage N, Wisner KL, Kapse K, Araki S, Mastracchio CE, Teramoto H, Kasper ML, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Prenatal SSRI exposure is associated with reduced regional fetal brain growth and cortical folding. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024. (Certificate of Excellence awarded to lead author, Yao Wu. Clinical research: Career-Level Faculty Award.)
Recent publications & Presentations
2026 | April
Basu S, Govindan RB, Kapse K, du Plessis AJ, Ottolini K, Murnick J, Ngwa J, Limperopoulos C. “Active Sleep During Extrauterine Third Trimester Is Associated With Neurophysiologic Maturation in Preterm Infants.” Poster presentation. 97th Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Boston, MA. April 2026.
Basu S, Govindan RB, Kapse K, du Plessis AJ, Ottolini K, Murnick J, Ngwa J, Limperopoulos C. “Active Sleep During Extrauterine Third Trimester Is Positively Associated With Brain White Matter Volume in Preterm Infants.” Poster presentation. 97th Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Boston, MA. April 2026.
Cook KM, De Asis-Cruz J, Murnick J, Ottolini K, Basu S, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Maturation of Functional Brain Connectivity in Preterm Infants Differs From Fetal Development and Based on Age at Birth.” Oral abstract. 97th Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Boston, MA. April 2026.
Donnellan E, Ngwa JS, Liggett MO, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis AJ, Govindan RB. “Neurobehavioral Stress Linked to the Central Nervous System Is Associated With Heart Rate Variability Differences in Preterm Infants.” Poster presentation. 97th Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Boston, MA. April 2026.
Ottolini K, Chirumamilla VC, Basu S, Andescavage N, Ngwa J, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C, Govindan R. “Nutritional Factors Associated With Autonomic Nervous System Maturation in Preterm Infants.” Oral Abstract. 97th Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Boston, MA. April 2026.
Ottolini K, Ngwa J, Basu S, Kapse K, Cook KM, Wu Y, Murnick J, du Plessis AJ, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C. “Impaired Ex Utero Brain Growth of Preterm Infants Compared to In Utero Healthy Fetuses.” Oral Abstract. 97th Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Boston, MA. April 2026.
Ottolini KM, Ngwa JS, Basu SK, Kapse K, Cook KM, Wu Y, Murnick J, du Plessis AJ, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C. “Impaired ex Utero Brain Growth of Preterm Infants Compared to in Utero Healthy Fetuses.” Poster. Research, Education & Innovation Week 2026. Washington, D.C. April 2026.
Cook KM, De Asis-Cruz J, Murnick J, Ottolini KM, Basu SK, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Prematurely Born Infants Exhibit Atypical Functional Brain Development Compared to Fetal Peers and Degree of Prematurity.” Poster. Research, Education & Innovation Week 2026. Washington, D.C. April 2026.
Ottolini KM, Chirumamilla VC, Basu SK, Andescavage N, Ngwa JS, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C, Govindan RB. “Nutritional Factors Associated With Autonomic Nervous System Maturation in Preterm Infants.” Poster. Research, Education & Innovation Week 2026. Washington, D.C. April 2026.
2026 | February
Ngwa JS, Govindan RB, Andescavage N, Basu S, Ottolini K, Kapse K, Murnick J, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis, AJ. “Heart Rate Variability Using Time and Frequency Domain Metrics Is Associated With Brain Volumes in Preterm Infants.” Poster. 17th International Newborn Brain Conference (INBBC 2026). Naples, Italy. February 2026.
2025 | August
Chirumamilla VC, Mulkey SB, Anwar T, Baker R, Maxwell GL, Asis-Cruz J, Kapse K, Limperopoulos C, Plessis AD, Govindan RB. “Directional Flow of Brain Connections and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Healthy Full-Term Newborns.” Neuroscience Letters. 2025 Aug 30:138371. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2025.138371. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40889547
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40889547
2025 | April
Jacobwitz M, Kapse K, Ngwa J, De Asis-Cruz J, Wu Y, Donofrio MT, McDermott C, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. “Placental and Fetal In Utero Growth Among Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease.” JAMA Network Open. 2025 Apr 1;8(4):e257217. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.7217. PMID: 40272798; PMCID: PMC12022807
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40272798
Donnellan EL, Govindan RB, Ngwa JS, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis AJ. “Is Heart Rate Variability Associated With Neurobehavior in Preterm Infants?” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Kim JH, De Asis-Cruz J, Andescavage NN, du Plessis AJ, McDermott C, Limperopoulos C. “Disrupted Motor Networks in Neonates With Complex Congenital Heart Disease” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Kocher K, Ottolini K, Ngwa J, Latif H, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. “Preterm Infants Experiencing Extrauterine Growth Failure Exhibit Epigenetic Age Deacceleration” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Ngwa JS, Govindan R, Galla J, Kapse K, Basu S, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Leveraging Autonomic Cardiorespiratory Measures to Predict Total Brain Volumes in Preterm Infants” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Ottolini KM, Andescavage N, Basu SK, Zeman A, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. "Maternal NICU Presence and Milk Provision at Discharge in Preterm Infants" Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Ramlogan A, Bartolini E, Kohrt B, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Prenatal and Postnatal Mental Health of Caregivers of Infants Requiring NICU Admissions” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Tian R, Harburg L, Adegbulugbe E, Latif H, Basu S, du Plessis AJ, Andescavage N. "Evaluating the Impact of a Radiographic-Based Protocol on Timing of Surgical Intervention and Outcomes of Preterm Infants With Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus" Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Wu Y, Andescavage N, Liggett M, Ngwa JS, Kapse A, Kapse K, McDermott CE, Donofrio MT, Wisner KL, Wessel D, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Elevated Prenatal Maternal Psychological Distress Is Associated With Impaired Neurodevelopment in Toddlers With Congenital Heart Disease” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
2025 | January
Christoffel K, De Asis Cruz J, Cook KM, Kapse K, Andescavage N, Basu S, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis A. “Third Trimester Development of Central Autonomic Network Connectivity Is Altered in an Extrauterine Environment.” Neonatology. 2025 Jan 2:1-20. doi: 10.1159/000543277. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39746339
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39746339
2024 | November
Chirumamilla VC, Mulkey SB, Anwar T, Baker R, Maxwell GL, De Asis-Cruz J, Kapse K, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis A, Govindan RB. “Asymmetry of Directed Brain Connectivity at Birth in Low-Risk Full-Term Newborns.” Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. 2024 Nov 12. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000001131. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39531276
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39531276
Jacobwitz M, Kapse K, Ngwa J, De Asis-Cruz J, Wu Y, Donofrio MT, McDermott C, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. “Placental and Fetal In Utero Growth Among Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease.” JAMA Network Open. 2025 Apr 1;8(4):e257217. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.7217. PMID: 40272798; PMCID: PMC12022807
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40272798
Donnellan EL, Govindan RB, Ngwa JS, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis AJ. “Is Heart Rate Variability Associated With Neurobehavior in Preterm Infants?” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Kim JH, De Asis-Cruz J, Andescavage NN, du Plessis AJ, McDermott C, Limperopoulos C. “Disrupted Motor Networks in Neonates With Complex Congenital Heart Disease” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Kocher K, Ottolini K, Ngwa J, Latif H, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. “Preterm Infants Experiencing Extrauterine Growth Failure Exhibit Epigenetic Age Deacceleration” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Ngwa JS, Govindan R, Galla J, Kapse K, Basu S, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Leveraging Autonomic Cardiorespiratory Measures to Predict Total Brain Volumes in Preterm Infants” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Ottolini KM, Andescavage N, Basu SK, Zeman A, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. "Maternal NICU Presence and Milk Provision at Discharge in Preterm Infants" Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Ramlogan A, Bartolini E, Kohrt B, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Prenatal and Postnatal Mental Health of Caregivers of Infants Requiring NICU Admissions” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Tian R, Harburg L, Adegbulugbe E, Latif H, Basu S, du Plessis AJ, Andescavage N. "Evaluating the Impact of a Radiographic-Based Protocol on Timing of Surgical Intervention and Outcomes of Preterm Infants With Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus" Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
Wu Y, Andescavage N, Liggett M, Ngwa JS, Kapse A, Kapse K, McDermott CE, Donofrio MT, Wisner KL, Wessel D, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. “Elevated Prenatal Maternal Psychological Distress Is Associated With Impaired Neurodevelopment in Toddlers With Congenital Heart Disease” Poster presentation. Children’s National Hospital 15th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. March-April 2025.
2024 | September
Govindan RB, Andescavage NN, Basu S, Murnick J, Ngwa J, Galla JT, Kapse K, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis A. “Circadian Rhythm Development in Preterm Infants. The Role of Postnatal Versus Postmenstrual Age.” Early Human Development. 2024 Sep;196:106084. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106084. Epub 2024 Jul 27. PMID: 39126762; PMCID: PMC11344654
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39126762
Kocher KM, Ngwa J, Kapse KJ, Bhattacharya S, Rossi C, Delot E, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. Technical considerations for placental tissue processing and the subsequent impact on genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. Clinical Epigenetics. 2024 Sep 16;16(1):128. doi: 10.1186/s13148-024-01741-8. PMID: 39285447; PMCID: PMC11403961
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39285447
Jacobwitz M, Kapse K, Ngwa J, De Asis-Cruz J, Wu Y, Govindan R, Donofrio MT, Wessel DL, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage A. “In-Vivo Placental Volumes and Placental Growth Trajectories are Abnormal in Fetuses with Congenital Heart Disease.” International Federation of Placental Associations 2024 Conference. Montreal, Quebec. September 2024. (NIH travel award)
Jacobwitz M, Kapse K, Ngwa J, Donofrio MT, Wessel DL, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage M. “Impaired Feto-Placental Growth in Congenital Heart Disease Detected Prenatally via Quantitative MRI.” International Federation of Placental Associations 2024 Conference. Montreal, Quebec. September 2024.
2024 | April
Andescavage N, Liggett M, McCants C, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C. The effects of intrauterine programming: Prenatal COVID exposure and offspring outcomes. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
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.
Chirumamilla VC, Hitchings L, Mulkey SB, Anwar T, Baker R, Maxwell L, De Asis Cruz J, Kapse K, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis AJ, Govindan RB. Communications among Rich-club brain regions in term low-risk newborn EEG sources. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Cook KM, De Asis-Cruz J, Andescavage N, Saulino P, Basu SK, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Greater exposure to opioid pain medications in the NICU is associated with hyperconnectivity of the thalamus and cerebellum in infants born prematurely. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Kim JH, De Asis-Cruz J, Andescavage NN, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C. Disrupted functional brain networks in neonates with congenital heart disease. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Ngwa JS, Govindan R, Galla J, Kapse K, Basu S, Andescavage N, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. The impact of conventional and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation on heart rate metrics in preterm infants. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Jacobwitz M, Kapse K, Ngwa J, De Asis-Cruz J, Govindan R, Donofrio MT, Wessel D, du Plessis A, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. In-vivo placental volumes and placental growth trajectories are abnormal in fetuses with Congenital Heart Disease. Children’s National Hospital 14th Annual Research, Education and Innovation Week. Washington, D.C. April 2024.
Basu S, Hui SCN, Kapse K, Galla J, Andescavage N, Murnick J, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Cerebellar GABA and glutamate concentrations at term-age predicts cognitive deficits in preterm infants. 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.
2024 | February
Chirumamilla VC, Hitchings L, Mulkey SB, Anwar T, Baker R, Larry Maxwell G, De Asis-Cruz J, Kapse K, Limperopoulos C, du Plessis A, Govindan RB. Association of brain functional connectivity with neurodevelopmental outcomes in healthy full-term newborns. Clin Neurophysiol. 2024 Feb 15;160:68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38412745
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38412745/
2024 | January
Andescavage N, Lu YC, Wu Y, Kapse K, Keller J, Von Kohorn I, Afifi A, Vezina G, Henderson D, Wessel DL, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and early newborn brain development. Cereb Cortex. 2024 Jan 31;34(2):bhae041. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhae041. PMID: 38385890
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38385890/