Pain in newborn infants

Abstract

Newborns are frequently exposed to painful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures during follow-up in the neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, treatment and relief of pain should be considered a part of any such procedures. The first step in relieving pain is to assess it. The detection of changes in biochemical, physiological and behavioral parameters during pain have led to the development of a scoring system based on these changes. Many methods are used to relieve pain; however, non-pharmacological approaches are recommended during minor procedures in particular. Breastfeeding and sucrose administration are the most common of these approaches. Depending on the causes and severity of pain, various pharmacological agents may be used when appropriate. Opioid analgesics are often the first line of treatment. However, opioids should be selected only if the pain is severe; moreover, such treatment should be terminated as soon as possible.