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

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Published on: December 20, 2011

[Is fetus able to feel pain?]

Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska1, Mirosław Wielgoś

  • 1I Katedra i Klinika Połoinictwa i Ginekologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Warszawa, Polska. kasiakosinska@wp.pl

Ginekologia Polska
|May 18, 2011
PubMed

On the basis of fetal hormonal and hemodynamic responses to pain related stimuli, neuroanatomy and observations of preterm babies, it was concluded that human fetus is able to feel pain after 24 weeks gestation. However it is possible that the fetus may feel pain even before that time. With the development of intrauterine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, it is crucial to provide fetuses undergoing painful procedures not only with anesthesia but also analgesia. The article presents fetal pain research history and its implications for medicine.

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