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Study Summary

The Right Combination to Prevent Pain in Neonates

Combining nonpharmacological with pharmacological treatment could be the key to preventing pain in newborns.

Prevention and management of procedural pain in the neonate: an update

COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN and SECTION ON ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PAIN MEDICINE

American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016

Preventing and assessing pain in neonates is an achievable and essential goal, as misjudgment can have adverse consequences.
Uniting nonpharmacological and pharmacological strategies could lead to better treatment of pain in neonates.

Background

Neonates often have to endure various painful procedures, such as heel punctures or tape removal from catheters. Therefore, an important goal is to prevent and manage pain. However, choosing the right treatment has proven to be difficult. Tools to gauge pain are often contradictive and also the right dosage of pain-relieving drugs can be a concern.

Bringing together nonpharmacological treatment such as non-nutritive sucking and pharmacological treatment like opioids could be a reliable pain preventing therapy.

Methodology

In this statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) deals with the painful procedures neonates have to endure, especially emphasizing the need to prevent, assess and treat all different painful exposures. Following recommendations previously published, this statement serves as an update.

Results

  • Non-nutritive sucking, breastfeeding, swaddling and other nonpharmacological treatment strategies are effective methods to reduce pain when stressful procedures are conducted.
  • Results show, that nonpharmacological measures can be supported by pharmacological treatment strategies, such as oral sucrose, to achieve an additive analgesic effect.
  • Understanding the level of pain newborns endure during different procedures is the key to choosing the right pain assessment tool.
  • Institutions should generate individual policies, also involving family members (i.e. breastfeeding during procedures), and keep them updated to enable them to apply sensible measures regarding pain prevention and management.
  • Continuous education for pediatricians, neonatal health care professionals and family members should be provided.

MAM Service

You can find the complete study at: mambaby.com/professionals