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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
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Methods for In Vivo Biomechanical Testing on Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets
Published on: December 19, 2019
Has discomfort during neonatal transfers improved over time?
Ashley Timings-Thompson1, Sally Courtney2, Catherine Harrison2,3,4
1Embrace Transport Service, Sheffield Children's Hospital Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK. a.timings-thompson@nhs.net.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|June 6, 2026
Summary
Neonatal pain scores increase during transport, with current infants showing higher discomfort than a decade ago. Despite equipment advances, further strategies are needed to reduce infant pain during transfer.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Transport medicine
- Pain assessment
Background:
- Neonatal pain during transport is under-researched.
- Previous studies indicated pain increases during transit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate neonatal pain during transport.
- To compare current pain scores with historical data.
- To assess the impact of transport process developments on pain.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 113 infants.
- Utilized the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) for pain assessment.
- Measured pain at five time points during transport, including baseline.
Main Results:
- PIPP scores increased during transport, peaking upon arrival.
- Current PIPP scores were higher than 2009 data when compared to baseline.
- Pain patterns remained similar to 2009, despite equipment advancements.
Conclusions:
- Infants experience significant discomfort during transport.
- Current transport methods do not appear to have reduced neonatal pain levels.
- Further interventions are necessary to mitigate pain during neonatal transfer.
