Infant Research Centre

02/04/2026

🔎 Why are so many girls with autism still overlooked?

This World Autism Awareness Day, we’re highlighting a gap we can’t ignore.

Girls with autism are still too often overlooked or identified too late. At the same time, many families face long waits for assessment and support, delaying access to the help children need.

At the Infant Research Centre and University College Cork, research led by Dr Jane English is exploring whether biological signals present at birth could help transform how we identify autism earlier.

By studying early biological markers and the prenatal environment, this work is laying the foundation for future screening approaches, with the long-term aim of helping children and families access support sooner.

Link to full story in comments.

25/03/2026

This evening, the Main Quadrangle at University College Cork was lit up in green to mark National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.

25/03/2026

Cerebral palsy awareness is about more than understanding a diagnosis.

For many families, it’s about celebrating incredible children while navigating everyday challenges.

To mark National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (25 March), we’re sharing the stories of Kirsty and Cristín, two parents involved in INFANT’s Cerebral Palsy Parent Advisory Group.

By contributing their lived experience, they help ensure research reflects the real priorities of children and families living with cerebral palsy.

As Cristín explains:
“Involving parents transforms research from a clinical study into a human-centred one.”

24/03/2026

Are you interested in how your toddler is developing? 👶🧠

Researchers at INFANT are inviting families to take part in a study focused on early cognitive development in children aged 22–26 months.

Using simple, tablet-based activities, the study explores how young children think, understand, and process information — helping to shape more accessible ways to assess early development.

What’s involved?
✔ A 1-hour visit to the INFANT Research Centre at Cork University Hospital
✔ Gentle, child-friendly cognitive assessments
✔ An opportunity to contribute to research that supports better outcomes for children

Why take part?
✨ Learn more about your child’s early development
✨ Help improve how we measure and support developmental progress in early childhood

If you’re interested in taking part, complete the online form: https://tinyurl.com/AIM-HIGH-Study
Or contact Dr Matilda Biba: mbiba@ucc.ie

20/03/2026

Families of children with life-threatening food allergies in Ireland say they feel “forgotten”.

It’s a reality many parents know all too well — navigating uncertainty, limited access to specialist care, and difficult decisions about how best to keep their child safe.

But there is also reason for hope.

At Cork University Hospital, oral immunotherapy is already being delivered to young children, with early data showing that most are now tolerating small amounts of their allergen.

This is not a future solution. It is happening now.

The challenge is making this care available to more families.

We are proud to see Dr Juan Trujillo, Consultant Paediatric Allergist at Cork University Hospital and Principal Investigator at INFANT, contributing to this important national conversation.

Parents of children with life-­threatening food allergies have said they feel “forgotten”, suffering delayed diagnosis and being forced to go abroad for treatment.

11/03/2026

Did you know that many newborn seizures have no visible symptoms?

As part of UCC Innovation Week, we're highlighting companies emerging from the INFANT Research Centre at UCC that are translating research into technologies designed to improve children's health.

One of these spinouts is NeuroBell.

NeuroBell is developing a portable EEG monitoring device designed to help clinicians detect neonatal seizures earlier at the NICU bedside. Seizures are often the first sign of brain injury in newborns, but many have no visible symptoms.

By enabling earlier identification, NeuroBell aims to help clinicians respond more quickly and improve outcomes for newborns.

The technology was developed by researchers at the INFANT and is now moving toward clinical deployment.

The work behind NeuroBell shows how research in neonatal brain monitoring can translate into technologies that support earlier detection and care for vulnerable newborns.

10/03/2026

Why are many learning difficulties only identified when children start school?

As part of UCC Innovation Week, we’re highlighting innovations emerging from the research community that aim to address challenges in early childhood development.

One example is Liltoda, founded by INFANT Principal Investigator Professor Deirdre Murray, and Mike Cunneen.

Liltoda is developing tablet-based technology designed to help identify potential learning difficulties earlier in life. Through simple touchscreen, game-based tasks, the platform helps clinicians better understand how young children learn and solve problems.

The system can generate automated reports that support earlier insight while also saving valuable time for therapists.

With clinical validation involving over 1,000 children across 12 countries, Liltoda shows how research in child development can translate into practical tools that support clinicians, families and children.

👉 Read more in the Business Post article below

Making it Work Cork medtech aims to boost early diagnosis of childhood learning difficulties Emmet Ryan March 7, 2026 Prof Deirdre Murray, director, Liltoda: ‘There’s a big gap at the moment where the majority of learning difficulties in children aren’t picked up until they get to school. We.....

16/02/2026

🤝 We’re very excited to welcome the Rotunda Hospital as the newest site participating in our AIM-HIGH Study.

Their involvement expands access to innovative research for babies born preterm or at risk of early brain injury. We will be working with their families in our commitment to improving outcomes. We look forward to working alongside the outstanding clinical team in the Rotunda Hospital to drive meaningful impact.

Well done to all those involved in getting this site up and running 👏 . Special thanks to Dr Breda Hayes and her team who will lead the study there.

➡️ AIM-HIGH is a study focused on assessing intellectual and motor outcomes in high-risk infants as part of the ELEVATE programme. ELEVATE is a research programme, led by INFANT that aims to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of early brain injury and cerebral palsy(CP) in Ireland. Funded by Research Ireland and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

15/02/2026

Please Share 💜Children volunteers needed for a research study💜

INFANT, UCC researchers are looking for children aged 5-11 years who have no known developmental issues, were born after 36 weeks and weren't admitted to the neonatal unit within 12 hours of birth to participate in a study.

The SOPHIE Study aims to gather information on how children with birth difficulties develop compared to children who didn’t have issues around birth. This will help identify issues earlier and improve long-term outcome in children diagnosed with HIE in the newborn period.

By participating in this study, you are contributing to important research on childhood development and newborn brain injury.🧠

📲 If your child or someone you know would like to take part in the study, email: sophie@ucc.ie or express interest here: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2026/02/05/children-needed-for-new-research-study-the-sophie-study/ (Please note the study visits take place in Cork University Hospital)

12/02/2026

And that’s a wrap for the 17th International Newborn Brain Conference! 🧠

Our colleagues were actively involved throughout the conference over the past few days, not only contributing across the programme but also connecting with peers from across the globe to share knowledge, ideas and build new collaborations.

The conference not only facilitates the exchange of research but also nurtures a multidisciplinary community and empowers and equips delegates with the tools and insights necessary to champion the cause of neonatal brain health, contribute to improved care and better outcomes worldwide.

👏 Well done to the Newborn Brain Society, the organising committee for delivering such an impactful event and congratulations to our own team members who were busy presenting posters, hosting workshops, and chairing panel discussions.

Already looking forward to 2027!

21/12/2025

🎄 The team at INFANT Research Centre at UCC would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As we move into a new year, 2026, we reflect back on the incredible journey in 2025 and would like to extend our gratitude to our all of our team members, funding agencies, donors and industry partners for their ongoing support and a special note of sincere thanks to all the families who generously support the work we do, we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver better outcomes for mothers and babies.

Thank you 💜

18/12/2025

*INFANT Study Day - The Highlights*

We were delighted to welcome over 100 guests to this years INFANT Study Day in UCC’s Aula Maxima. The day brought together our multidisciplinary team, colleagues from across UCC, members of our Strategic Advisory Board to connect, learn and share.

The event showcased the variety of INFANT's research at all stages, highlighting what lies ahead, and providing insight into the vision for UCC Futures Children.

Thank you to our incredible lineup of speakers and to our students who presented posters. 👏

The Study Day is all about recognising and thanking the incredible team whose collaboration and commitment continues to drive innovation in maternal and child health research at UCC 💜

Interested in learning more? Read all about the day in the article below ⬇️

The INFANT Research Centre at UCC welcomed over 100 guests to its annual INFANT Study Day, which was held in the Aula Maxima on UCC’s campus - now home to portraits of 11 trailblazing women from, or with links to, the Munster region. The Study Day welcomed members of the INFANT multidisciplinary t...