Infant Research Centre

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INFANT is a Maternal and Child Health Research Centre hosted by University College Cork, situated in Cork University Hospital, Ireland.

INFANT focuses on making pregnancy and birth safer, fast-tracking research discoveries to the bed-side and cot-side. INFANT is Ireland's first dedicated perinatal research Centre. INFANT addresses the largely unmet worldwide clinical need for effective screening tests for the most common complications of pregnancy and the most significant problems for newborn babies. INFANT strives to have fundamental societal impacts by changing the delivery of healthcare and improving outcomes for these vulnerable mothers and their babies.

01/10/2026

What can early intervention make possible for children with cerebral palsy? 💚

For 13-month-old Aidan, research became part of his journey.

Following an early cerebral palsy diagnosis, Aidan was closely monitored and supported through a range of therapies, while also taking part in APPLESTele, a six-week home-based programme focused on encouraging babies to use their weaker arm and hand.

His mum, Niamh, began noticing small but meaningful changes in his movement, play and everyday activities.

Aidan’s story highlights why research into early intervention matters and why we need to continue building the evidence to bring promising approaches to more children and families.

This October, your support can help make that happen.

💚 Donations to INFANT Research Centre throughout October will support cerebral palsy research, from earlier detection to early intervention.

🔗 Read Aidan's story and donate to our research: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2026/09/30/early-intervention-aidan-story/

28/09/2026

Congratulations to Professor Eugene Dempsey on his appointment to Head of the School of Medicine at UCC! 👏

A longstanding member of the INFANT Research Centre, Gene has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for newborn babies through both clinical care and research.

While taking on this exciting new leadership role, Gene will continue as a Principal Investigator at INFANT, helping to advance neonatal research and improve care for babies and their families.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside him in this next chapter.

🔗 Read more about Gene’s priorities for the role: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2026/09/24/new-head-of-school/

17/09/2026

🥦🧠 Can diet and nutrition influence mental health?

Researchers at the INFANT Research Centre have joined NUTRIMIND, a major European research project exploring how diet, nutrition and related biological factors are associated with mental health throughout life.

Bringing together 16 organisations from across Europe, the project will investigate how nutrition may be linked to common mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress, helping strengthen the evidence in this emerging area of research.

At UCC, the project is led by Professor Mairead Kiely, with researchers from INFANT contributing expertise in nutrition, maternal and child health, and brain development.

🔗 Read more here: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2026/09/17/diet-nutrition-mental-health/

08/09/2026

How do researchers assess how a baby or young child is developing? 👶

Professor Deirdre Murray, Deputy Director at INFANT Research Centre, explains the Griffiths Developmental Scales and what they can help us understand about different areas of a child’s development.

Today, we hosted Griffiths Assessment training for members of our team and colleagues, building skills that can be applied across child health research.

These assessments are also being used with babies taking part in our AIM HIGH Study, helping our researchers understand and track their development. 🔬

01/09/2026

🦠 Can probiotics support a baby’s developing gut microbiome?

Researchers at UCC’s APC Microbiome Ireland and INFANT Research Centre, together with Cork University Maternity Hospital and Teagasc, are exploring this question through a new research programme focused on probiotics and the microbiome during early childhood.

The first clinical trial, the SMILE Study, will investigate two specific probiotic strains and their potential to support the infant gut microbiome and healthy growth.

The first months of life are an important window for this research, as a baby’s microbiome changes significantly alongside the developing gut and immune system.

SMILE is the first of three planned clinical trials exploring probiotics at different stages of early childhood.

More on the research – and opportunities for families to take part – coming soon.

Read more about the study: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2026/09/01/research-programme-probiotics/

31/08/2026

What started with a visit to Tanzania in 2016 has grown into a decade-long partnership between INFANT Research Centre, UCC and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) and Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), working together to improve maternal and newborn health.

Over the past 10 years, the partnership has helped strengthen newborn care, improve health data, support research and education, and share knowledge and expertise — with work that started in Kilimanjaro now extending across East Africa.

Behind these achievements is a story of people, trust, shared learning and what long-term partnership can make possible for mothers and babies.

As we mark a decade of collaboration, we're looking back at where it started, the difference it has made, and what comes next.

Read the full story here: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2026/07/29/from-cork-to-kilimanjaro/

27/08/2026

We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Barrett as a Principal Investigator at INFANT. 👏

Peter is a Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE and is currently seconded to INFANT through his HRB Clinician Scientist Fellowship, where his research is exploring the long-term impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on maternal health and how follow-up care for affected women could be improved in Ireland.

The first Public Health Physician in Ireland to receive an HRB Clinician Scientist Fellowship, Peter brings expertise across maternal health, public health, epidemiology, health-service research and policy translation.

A key focus of his work is turning research into meaningful improvements in health policy, services and practice.

Congratulations Peter on this well-deserved appointment! 🎉

12/08/2026

🦁🔬 Roar for Research 2026: A Roaring Success! 🧠🐾

Last Saturday, we were delighted to welcome more than 600 visitors to our Roar for Research event at Fota Wildlife Park's Education Centre. The day was filled with fun, discovery, creativity, and hands-on learning, with a special focus on Cerebral Palsy (CP) research through the ELEVATE Research Programme.

Visitors enjoyed interactive science experiments, met the researchers driving maternal and child health discoveries, explored innovative technology and AI demonstrations & took part in a wide range of children's activities and games.

Combined with all that Fota Wildlife Park has to offer, there was something to engage and inspire visitors of all ages throughout the day!

We were also delighted to be joined by Crann Centre, in4kids Network, and the Irish Cerebral Palsy Programme, who shared their expertise and engaged with visitors throughout the event.

Thank you to Fota Wildlife Park all the families, researchers, volunteers, and supporters who came along to celebrate science, innovation, and discovery.

06/08/2026

👏 Congratulations to INFANT PhD researcher, Conor Vaughan!

Conor has been awarded a European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) Travel Grant, recognising his work as an early-career researcher.

His research focuses on identifying biomarkers in babies with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), with the goal of helping doctors make earlier and more informed treatment decisions for newborns at risk of brain injury.

The award will support Conor to present his research to leading paediatric researchers from across Europe.

Congratulations, Conor—we're proud to see your work recognised internationally! 🎉

05/08/2026

Last year, families told us that Roar for Research was more than just a day out.

It's a chance to explore, learn, ask questions and meet other families.

Claire, who is returning with her family this year, shared:

"It's such a lovely family day out, exploring Fota Wildlife Park while learning something new from the researchers and through fun activities. It's also a great chance to meet other families."

This year, there's even more to look forward to! Meet the researchers behind INFANT's work, become a brain scientist for the day, discover how AI is being used in research, build with LEGO and enjoy everything Fota Wildlife Park has to offer.

Join us on Saturday 8 August for a fun-filled day of science, discovery and wildlife.

🎟️ Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roar-for-research-tickets-1992827849744?aff=INFANTfacebook

Address

Cork University Hospital
Cork

Telephone

353(0)21 4205023

Website

http://www.infantcentre.ie/

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