Katherine Bell, MD | Boston Children's Hospital

Katherine Bell | Medical Services

Programs & Services

Languages

English

Katherine Bell | Education

Undergraduate School

Dartmouth College

2006, Hanover, NH

Medical School

University of California, San Diego

2010, San Diego, CA

Internship

Children's Hospital Oakland

2011, Oakland, CA

Residency

Pediatrics

Children's Hospital Oakland

2013, Oakland, CA

Fellowship

Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Training Program

2017, Boston, MA

Katherine Bell | Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics (General)
American Board of Pediatrics (Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine)

Katherine Bell | Professional History

Dr. Katherine Bell obtained her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. She then completed her clinical residency training in pediatrics at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland where she also served as Chief Resident. She then continued her training in the Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship program, where she served as Chief Fellow.Dr. Bell has a particular interest in how the nutrition and growth of premature infants impacts long-term health outcomes. Her current clinical research focuses on neonatal body composition—the relative contributions of fat and lean mass to an infant’s weight—and its role in assessment of nutritional status and prediction of long-term outcomes.

Katherine Bell | Publications

Growth trajectories and need for oral feeding support among infants with neonatal encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia. J Perinatol. 2024 Aug; 44(8):1163-1171. View Growth trajectories and need for oral feeding support among infants with neonatal encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Abstract
Human Milk Oligosaccharides, Growth, and Body Composition in Very Preterm Infants. Nutrients. 2024 Apr 18; 16(8). View Human Milk Oligosaccharides, Growth, and Body Composition in Very Preterm Infants. Abstract
Lactoferrin intake from maternal milk during the neonatal hospitalization and early brain development among preterm infants. Pediatr Res. 2024 Jul; 96(1):159-164. View Lactoferrin intake from maternal milk during the neonatal hospitalization and early brain development among preterm infants. Abstract
Proceedings of the 15th International Newborn Brain Conference: Fetal and/or neonatal brain development, both normal and abnormal. J Neonatal Perinatal Med. 2024; 17(3):S285-S316. View Proceedings of the 15th International Newborn Brain Conference: Fetal and/or neonatal brain development, both normal and abnormal. Abstract
ECI Biocommentary: Katherine Bell. Pediatr Res. 2023 Sep; 94(3):858-859. View ECI Biocommentary: Katherine Bell. Abstract
Novel metrics to characterize temporal lobe of very preterm infants on term-equivalent brain MRI. Pediatr Res. 2023 09; 94(3):979-986. View Novel metrics to characterize temporal lobe of very preterm infants on term-equivalent brain MRI. Abstract
Body composition measurement for the preterm neonate: using a clinical utility framework to translate research tools into clinical care. J Perinatol. 2022 11; 42(11):1550-1555. View Body composition measurement for the preterm neonate: using a clinical utility framework to translate research tools into clinical care. Abstract
Association of early cerebral oxygen saturation and brain injury in extremely preterm infants. J Perinatol. 2022 Oct; 42(10):1385-1391. View Association of early cerebral oxygen saturation and brain injury in extremely preterm infants. Abstract
Associations of Macronutrient Intake Determined by Point-of-Care Human Milk Analysis with Brain Development among very Preterm Infants. Children (Basel). 2022 Jun 29; 9(7). View Associations of Macronutrient Intake Determined by Point-of-Care Human Milk Analysis with Brain Development among very Preterm Infants. Abstract
Associations of body composition with regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure in very preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2022 Sep; 107(5):533-538. View Associations of body composition with regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure in very preterm infants. Abstract
A quality improvement initiative to reduce acid-suppressing medication exposure in the NICU. J Perinatol. 2022 08; 42(8):1118-1125. View A quality improvement initiative to reduce acid-suppressing medication exposure in the NICU. Abstract
Prenatal duct closure leading to severe pulmonary hypertension in a preterm neonate-a case report. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2020 Oct; 10(5):1691-1695. View Prenatal duct closure leading to severe pulmonary hypertension in a preterm neonate-a case report. Abstract
Growth and Clinical Outcomes of Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants Receiving Acidified vs Nonacidified Liquid Human Milk Fortifiers. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021 Dec; 36(6):1304-1311. View Growth and Clinical Outcomes of Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants Receiving Acidified vs Nonacidified Liquid Human Milk Fortifiers. Abstract
Macronutrient Intake from Human Milk, Infant Growth, and Body Composition at Term Equivalent Age: A Longitudinal Study of Hospitalized Very Preterm Infants. Nutrients. 2020 Jul 28; 12(8). View Macronutrient Intake from Human Milk, Infant Growth, and Body Composition at Term Equivalent Age: A Longitudinal Study of Hospitalized Very Preterm Infants. Abstract
Association of Poor Postnatal Growth with Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Infancy and Childhood: Comparing the Fetus and the Healthy Preterm Infant References. J Pediatr. 2020 10; 225:37-43.e5. View Association of Poor Postnatal Growth with Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Infancy and Childhood: Comparing the Fetus and the Healthy Preterm Infant References. Abstract
Associations of Growth and Body Composition with Brain Size in Preterm Infants. J Pediatr. 2019 11; 214:20-26.e2. View Associations of Growth and Body Composition with Brain Size in Preterm Infants. Abstract
Validity of Body Mass Index as a Measure of Adiposity in Infancy. J Pediatr. 2018 05; 196:168-174.e1. View Validity of Body Mass Index as a Measure of Adiposity in Infancy. Abstract
Implementation of a Guideline to Decrease Use of Acid-Suppressing Medications in the NICU. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec; 140(6). View Implementation of a Guideline to Decrease Use of Acid-Suppressing Medications in the NICU. Abstract
Associations of infant feeding with trajectories of body composition and growth. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Aug; 106(2):491-498. View Associations of infant feeding with trajectories of body composition and growth. Abstract

In the Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) our philosophy is to ensure that every patient receives the best care for the best possible outcomes. We consider our “patient” to be the baby and the family; we are constantly striving to serve the needs of both. This requires a team based approach with all members being essential. I am privileged to care for infants and families during what can be one of the most stressful periods of their lives - the birth of a premature or ill infant. I am thrilled to work as part of the amazing team of physicians, nurses, lactation consultants, dieticians and other team members in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), to help families navigate this stressful period and to stand by their side as their children make the journey to healthy, thriving infants.