In a groundbreaking effort to support parents of premature infants, Professor Caroline Hartley and Dr. Marianne van der Vaart from the Paediatric Neuroimaging Group at the Department of Paediatrics have unveiled a pioneering animation series titled “My Baby’s Brain.” The series aims to enhance parental understanding of brain development in premature infants and its correlation with breathing issues such as apnoeas.
Developed in collaboration with parents of premature babies and SSNAP (Supporting sick newborn and their parents), a charity based in the Newborn Care Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, “My Baby’s Brain” offers a free, online resource designed to empower parents with insights into the care their premature babies receive.
Lauren Young, a mother actively involved in neonatal care initiatives and part of the Family Care Team at SSNAP, shared her experiences as a parent of a premature baby and expressed her belief in the importance of supporting parents through their journey. She emphasized the significance of aiding parents in comprehending medical information and fostering confidence in the neonatal setting.
Professor Hartley highlighted the prevalence of premature births in the UK, affecting 1 in 13 babies, and the common occurrence of apnoea among premature infants, affecting approximately 50 percent of them. The animations aim to alleviate parents’ concerns by elucidating the relationship between apnoeas and the immaturity of premature infants’ brains, as well as introducing them to the equipment and terminology used in neonatal care.
Funded by the Wellcome Trust Enriching Engagement programme, “My Baby’s Brain” serves as the public engagement activity of Professor Hartley’s core research project investigating the connection between apnoeas and brain development in premature infants.
The initiative has been welcomed as a significant stride in providing vital support to parents navigating the challenges of premature birth, offering clarity and understanding amidst the complexities of neonatal care.
