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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Infant distress: moving toward concept clarity
Linda A Hatfield1, Rosemary C Polomano
1Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096, USA. lhat@nursing.upenn.edu
Clinical Nursing Research
|June 8, 2011
Summary
Understanding infant pain is challenging due to non-verbal cues. This study defines infant distress to improve pain assessment and treatment for neonates and infants in clinical practice and research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Neonatal Care
- Pain Management
Background:
- Infants cannot verbally express pain, leading to challenges in pain management.
- Diverse behavioral responses in neonates and infants complicate accurate pain assessment.
- Distinguishing nonspecific distress from specific pain responses is crucial for effective care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a concept analysis of infant distress.
- To develop an evidence-based definition of infant distress.
- To enhance pain assessment and treatment in neonatal and pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Concept analysis using Wilson's method.
- Systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on infant and neonatal distress.
- Extraction and synthesis of data on essential features, antecedents, and consequences of distress.
Main Results:
- Identification of key characteristics defining infant distress.
- Analysis of factors preceding and following infant distress.
- Development of a refined definition of infant distress based on empirical evidence.
Conclusions:
- A clear definition of infant distress aids nurses in differentiating pain responses.
- The findings support improved clinical practice in neonatal and pediatric pain management.
- This evidence-based definition is relevant for future research and clinical applications in infant care.
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