Appropriate management of procedural pain in newborn infants

Czech version

Authors: L. Časnocha Lúčanová; K. Maťašová
Authors‘ workplace: Neonatologická klinika, Jesseniova lekárska fakulta UK a Univerzitná nemocnica, Martin
Published in: Čes-slov Neonat 2023; 29 (1): 56-62.
Category: Reviews

Overview

Painful procedures are unavoidable in care of preterm and critically ill neonates in the NICU. Neonatal pain has the potential for shortterm and long-term adverse sequelae. Therefore, the number of painful procedures should be controlled to the minimum. If a procedure is not urgent and life-saving, it has to be carefully planned, deciding for appropriate pain control strategies. Pain indicators have to be monitored, it is essential to use reliable pain assessment tools. Novel evidence, type of procedure and infant’s characteristics have to be considered in order to prevent and reduce procedural pain adequately. Nonpharmacological techniques to control pain should be employed whenever possible. When pharmacological strategies are being administered, it is effective to combine them with nonpharmacological methods. Fear of medications' adverse effects should not result in tolerance of procedural pain in neonates. However, vulnerability of neonatal organism and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome have to be kept in mind.

Keywords:

analgesia – opioids – Pain – pain assessment tool

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