Research shows comforting babies eases parental stress in painful procedures

The Neuroimaging Group, at the Department of Paediatrics, in collaboration with Bliss, the charity for babies born premature or sick, has launched a new suite of information resources for parents of neo-nates, designed to make them feel more confident about being involved in the care of their babies.

Paediatric Neuroimaging Group launches animation series to support parents of premature infants

Professor Caroline Hartley, Principal Investigator, and Dr Marianne van der Vaart, Postdoctoral Researcher, in the Paediatric Neuroimaging Group at the Department of Paediatrics, have today launched a series of animations aimed at improving parental understanding of brain development in premature infants, and the effect it has on breathing and apnoeas (the cessation of breathing).

Image shows a premature baby stroked by an adult

Brain and mental health from infancy to adolescence

Our research has been featured in the University's "Brain and Mental Health" campaign, which highlights how some of the best minds at one of the world's leading universities are building on centuries of knowledge, and shaping the future of brain and mental health in the context of infant neuroscience and developmental psychology.

Paediatric Neurorunners for SSNAP take on Oxford Half Marathon

Members of the Paediatric Neuroimaging Research Group at the University of Oxford (based at the Newborn Care Unit) decided to team up to support SSNAP (Support for Sick Newborns And their Parents).

The development of pain perception in early life

In this interview, Ebony chats with Rebeccah Slater, a professor of Pediatric Neuroimaging in the Department of Pediatrics (Oxford University, UK), about her research on neonatal pain perception and her involvement in FENS 2022. Slater’s lab focuses on how pain perception develops in early life and how this research can better equip doctors to manage and treat pain in babies.

Early life infection increases sensitivity to pain in newborn babies

Researchers from Oxford’s Department of Paediatrics have discovered that infection can increase a baby’s sensitivity to pain, which may last longer than the infection.

How do babies feel pain?

What does our research on baby pain look like? Take a peek at our video, recognised with the Digital Media OxTALENT award.

#StartedinOxford

The Paediatric Neuroimaging group are measuring brain activity when babies experience pain #StartedinOxford.

Results of the Poppi trial

The Poppi Trial: Procedural Pain in Premature Infants investigates if morphine is an effective and safe analgesic for premature babies.

Research

We undertake mechanistic research, clinical trials, methodology development (MRI, EEG and analytical approaches), with a particular focus on infant pain.

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Join us

If you are interested in learning more about the development of the human infant brain then get in touch. We have lots of opportunities for students and staff to join our research group.

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Our resources

We are very proud of our public engagement work - here we highlight our research through videos, podcasts, information leaflets and other resources.

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What's new

Animations launched with party for parents

13 March 2024

On 27th February 2024 we launched our new animation series, 'My Baby's Brain', with a party! We had lots of fun sharing the animations with parents and staff from the Newborn Care Unit, and discussing infant brain development using some of our interactive resources.

Research shows comforting babies eases parental stress in painful procedures

8 March 2024

Paediatric Neuroimaging Group launches animation series to support parents of premature infants

29 February 2024

Professor Rebeccah Slater presented with Excellent Supervisor Award

2 February 2024

Rebeccah Slater, Professor of Paediatric Neuroscience, Senior Wellcome Fellow and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, has been presented with the Excellent Supervisor Award by the Head of the Medical Sciences Division (MSD).

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