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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
[Assessing and treating pain in the newborn]
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Neonatal pain assessment and relief are crucial. Valid tools like NIPS, CRIES, and PIPP aid evaluation, while non-pharmacological methods and analgesics like opioids manage pain effectively.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pain Management
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Neonatal pain assessment and management remain challenging due to infants' limited ability to express pain verbally.
- Effective pain management is critical for neonates' well-being and long-term health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of current neonatal pain assessment tools and pain relief strategies.
- To emphasize the importance of addressing neonatal pain based on medical and ethical considerations.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review of studies published in the last 10 years was conducted.
- The review encompassed various study types, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and case studies, alongside expert clinical experience.
Main Results:
- Several validated pain assessment tools, such as the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), CRIES, and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP), are available, focusing on facial expressions and multidimensional indicators.
- Non-pharmacological interventions like non-nutritive sucking and sucrose administration offer pain relief.
- Pharmacological options include paracetamol, local anesthetics, and opioids, with opioids being a primary choice for acute pain in neonatal intensive care units. Sedatives manage restlessness but do not alleviate pain.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal pain requires consistent consideration and effective treatment, supported by medical, ethical, and humanitarian principles.
- The availability of validated assessment tools and diverse pain relief methods enhances the capacity to manage neonatal pain effectively.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To update information about available neonatal pain assessment and pain relief methods.METHOD: Medical literature review of the past 10 years, including textbooks, general reviews, systematic reviews, prospective, randomized controlled studies, retrospective works and case studies. Literature was reviewed based on the author clinical and scientific experience regarding pain evaluation and treatment.RESULTS: Lack of verbal expression of pain is one of the major impediments to adequate pain relief in the neonatal period. Nowadays, several valid pain assessment tools are available, including the analysis of the neonate facial features and multidimensional tools, as NIPS, CRIES, and PIPP. Non-pharmacological pain relief can be achieved by non-nutritive suction and suction of dextrose water. Neonatal analgesia, in general, includes de the use of paracetamol, opioids and local anesthetics. Opioids remain the main resource for acute pain treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. Sedatives are important agents to decrease patient activity and restlessness, but they do not relieve pain.CONCLUSION: Based on medical, ethical, and humanitarian grounds, neonatal pain should be considered and treated.
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