Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
09:18

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants

Published on: December 20, 2011

Assessment and management of pain in neonates

B J Stevens1, L S Franck

  • 1The University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing and Medicine, and The Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario, Canada. bonnie.stevens@utoronto.ca

Paediatric Drugs
|August 22, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Neonates can feel pain from birth. Healthcare professionals must manage infant pain, assessing its severity and duration to ensure effective treatment and prevent long-term effects.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric pain management
  • Infant neurobiology

Background:

  • Neonates possess the capacity to experience pain from birth.
  • Extensive neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and biobehavioral evidence supports this capability.
  • Untreated infant pain can lead to immediate and long-term adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the mandate for healthcare professionals to manage infant pain.
  • To emphasize the importance of frequent pain assessment in neonates.
  • To identify the need for improved pain assessment tools for infants.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing neuroscientific evidence on neonatal pain perception.
  • Analysis of current practices in infant pain assessment.
  • Identification of gaps in pain management strategies for neonates.

Main Results:

  • A robust body of evidence confirms neonatal pain capacity.
  • Current assessment tools are effective for acute pain but limited for chronic conditions.
  • Frequent pain assessment is crucial for evaluating intervention efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Healthcare providers must prioritize pain prevention and management in neonates.
  • Existing measures effectively assess acute infant pain.
  • Development of new assessment tools for chronic and acute pain in neonates is necessary.

More Related Videos

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex06:04

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex

Published on: July 4, 2018

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies01:37

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies

Published on: February 9, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management01:25

Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management

Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
Angina V: Nursing Management01:20

Angina V: Nursing Management

Angina, a symptom of myocardial ischemia, requires a structured nursing management approach to ensure effective care and prevent complications like myocardial infarction. Comprehensive nursing care involves assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes, all tailored to the individual patient's needs.Patient AssessmentNursing assessment begins with a detailed subjective evaluation of symptoms, which typically include chest pain or pressure radiating to the...
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management01:23

Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management

During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
Urinary Tract Infection IV: Nursing Management01:17

Urinary Tract Infection IV: Nursing Management

In managing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing, a comprehensive assessment is essential. Begin by gathering subjective data, such as the patient’s complaints of dysuria (painful urination), urinary frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain, and any lower abdominal discomfort. This information can be complemented by questions regarding previous UTIs, sexual activity, and personal hygiene practices, which can provide insight into risk factors. Objective assessment should focus on signs like...