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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies
Published on: February 9, 2024
Even routine painful procedures can be harmful for the newborn
C V Bellieni1, L Iantorno, S Perrone
1Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproduction Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. bellieni@iol.it
Routine heel prick pain in newborns can increase harmful free radicals (FR) in their blood. High pain levels during the procedure significantly elevated advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and total hydroperoxides (TH).
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Pain Management
Background:
- Neonatal brain development is vulnerable to stress and free radical (FR) generation.
- Routine procedures like heel pricks can induce pain and stress in newborns.
- Oxidative stress markers may indicate cellular damage from FR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pain from neonatal heel prick procedures increases harmful free radicals (FR) in infant blood.
- To assess the correlation between pain intensity and oxidative stress markers in newborns.
Main Methods:
- Measured advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and total hydroperoxides (TH) in neonatal blood samples before and after heel prick.
- Collected samples from 64 newborns (corrected age 37.2+/-2.7 weeks).
- Assessed pain intensity using the ABC score during the heel prick procedure.
Main Results:
- No significant change in AOPP and TH levels in the overall cohort.
- Significant increases in AOPP and TH were observed in newborns experiencing high pain (ABC score >=4).
- A positive correlation was found between the ratio of AOPP levels (post/pre-procedure) and pain intensity.
Conclusions:
- Routine heel prick procedures can be potentially harmful to newborns if they induce significant pain.
- Elevated oxidative stress markers (AOPP, TH) in response to high pain suggest potential cellular damage.
- Pain management during neonatal procedures is crucial to mitigate potential harm.
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