Premature Infant Pain Profile: development and initial validation

Use of facilitated tucking for nonpharmacological pain management in preterm infants: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Neonatal care demands attention to interventions that effectively reduce pain with pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods in preterm infants during invasive procedures.

PURPOSE

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of facilitated tucking as nonpharmacological pain management in preterm infants.

METHOD

Electronic searches were conducted using the following databases: Ovid, Blackwell Synergy, ScienceDirect, PsychINFO, and CINAHL and with the following key words: facilitated tucking, preterm infant's pain responses, and randomized clinical trials for the period of 1995 to May 2008.

RESULTS

The search generated 15 articles; 5 articles fit to the criteria of the systematic review. The following outcomes were statistically significant: heart rate; increase in oxygen saturation; sleep-wake state; Premature Infant Pain Profile scores; and neonate infant pain scores.

CONCLUSION

The studies reviewed provide important preliminary findings that suggest facilitated tucking may be beneficial to preterm infants in attenuating their responses to painful procedures.

The ten commandments of pain assessment and management in preterm neonates

Despite advances in pain assessment and management, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic analgesic therapies continue to be underutilized in managing both acute and procedural pain in preterm neonates. Untreated acute, recurrent, or chronic pain related to disease or medical care may have significant and lifelong physiologic and psychological consequences. Painful procedures in the NICU may be unavoidable, so it is vital that caregivers balance the painful, medically necessary care with evidence-based nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies to relieve pain and stress. We present Ten Commandments of pain assessment and management in preterm neonates to promote the use of best practices and compassionate care in the NICU.

Latency to facial expression change following noxious stimulation in infants is dependent on postmenstrual age

Change in facial expression over a fixed time after a noxious stimulus is the key measure used to calculate pain scores in preterm and newborn infants. We hypothesised that the latency of facial motor responses would be longer in the youngest premature infants and that behavioural scoring methods of pain may need to take this into account. One hundred and seventy-two clinically required heel lances were performed in 95 infants from 25 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Sixty-four percentage of the heel lances evoked a change in facial expression. Change in facial expression was observed in infants across the whole age range from 25 weeks PMA and the latency to the facial expression response ranged from 1 to 17s. Latency to facial expression change was dependent on the infants' PMA at the time of the heel lance. Infants below 32 weeks PMA had a significantly longer latency to change in facial expression than older infants (54% increase in infants below 32 weeks; p < 0.001). Sleep state and presence of brain damage (IVH grades 1-4) did not significantly increase the latency (p > 0.05 for each variable). Intravenous morphine at the time of the heel lance significantly increased the latency to facial expression response (p < 0.001) but the analysis shows that latency is highly dependent on PMA independent of morphine administration. These findings highlight developmental changes underlying infant behaviour that are critically important if pain scores are to be correctly interpreted.

Methods to improve reliability of video-recorded behavioral data

Behavioral observation is a fundamental component of nursing practice and a primary source of clinical research data. The use of video technology in behavioral research offers important advantages to nurse scientists in assessing complex behaviors and relationships between behaviors. The appeal of using this method should be balanced, however, by an informed approach to reliability issues. In this article, we focus on factors that influence reliability, such as the use of sensitizing sessions to minimize participant reactivity and the importance of training protocols for video coders. In addition, we discuss data quality, the selection and use of observational tools, calculating reliability coefficients, and coding considerations for special populations based on our collective experiences across three different populations and settings.

Comparison of temporal artery, mid-forehead skin and axillary temperature recordings in preterm infants <1500 g of birthweight

AIM

Preterm infants are prone to temperature maintenance problems due to immature thermoregulatory mechanism and relatively large body surface area. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a new non-invasive infrared thermometer applied to the mid-forehead and temporal artery in comparison with axillary temperature recordings by mercury-in-glass thermometer, and to determine the discomfort caused by these procedures in preterm infants on incubator care.

METHODS

The present comparative prospective study was composed of 34 preterm infants <1500 g of birthweight nursed in an incubator. Temperature recording from mid-forehead, temporal artery and axilla were recorded six times a day for 7 days since the end of the first week of life. For pain assessment, the premature infant pain profile (PIPP) was used.

RESULTS

The mean mid-forehead, temporal artery and axillary temperatures were 36.72 +/- 0.08, 36.81 +/- 0.09 and 36.71 +/- 0.07 degrees C, respectively. No statistically significant difference was noted between the means of mid-forehead and axillary temperatures. The mean temporal artery temperature was statistically higher than the means of the mid-forehead and axillary temperatures. The PIPP scores of the mid-forehead, temporal artery and axillary temperature measurements were 5.07 +/- 0.36 degrees C, 5.18 +/- 0.43 degrees C and 7.59 +/- 0.84 degrees C, respectively. The mean PIPP score of axillary temperature measurements was statistically higher than the means of mid-forehead and temporal artery measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The infrared skin thermometer applied to the mid-forehead is a useful and valid device for easy and less painful measurement of skin temperature in preterm infants <1500 g of birthweight.

Perinatal assessment of infant, parents, and parent-infant relationship: prematurity as an example

This article reviews the stresses for parents, infants, and other caregivers during the period surrounding the birth of the premature infant. Principles of assessment of infant discomfort, parental stress, the parent-infant relationship, and the match of the medical caregiving environment to the individual infant's needs are discussed. Relevant tools to aide in these aspects of assessment are reviewed. The role of early assessment as preventive intervention and the indication for subsequent intervention in complicated cases of premature infants and their parents are further discussed. The article offers detailed clinical examples to illustrate these and other points throughout.

Pharmacologic management of acute pediatric pain

The accurate assessment and effective treatment of acute pain in children in the hospital setting is a high priority. During the past 2 to 3 decades, pediatric pain management has gained tremendous knowledge with respect to the understanding of developmental neurobiology, developmental pharmacology the use of analgesics in children, the use of regional techniques in children, and of the psychological needs of children in pain. A wide range of medications is available to treat a variety of pain types. This article provides an overview of the most common analgesic medications and techniques used to treat acute pain in children.

Pain management during retinopathy of prematurity eye examinations: a systematic review

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a concern for many preterm infants. Early detection and timely treatment have been shown to be effective in improving visual outcomes; moreover, it is crucial that a series of indirect ophthalmic examinations be performed until an infant is considered no longer at risk for the disease. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize and evaluate the published evidence regarding characteristics and effectiveness of pain management interventions during the ROP examination. Implications for practice are discussed and suggestions for further research are made. Despite the general consensus that ROP examination is a painful procedure with considerable amount of discomfort, evidence shows that pain management during the ROP examination is inadequate. Although there are currently clear recommendations and guidelines for performing the ROP examination, there are no standard protocols for pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management during the ROP examination. This is an area where much work is still needed to address the needs of the infant during this critical examination.

The behavioral pain response to heelstick in preterm neonates studied longitudinally: description, development, determinants, and components

OBJECTIVES

Preterm infants often experience multiple painful procedures during their stay in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The objectives of this study were to evaluate behavioral responses to heelstick in preterm newborns, characterize developmental changes and the effects of other demographic and clinical variables on the pain response, and estimate the contributions of individual Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) behaviors to the summary pain score.

METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate the behavioral responses of 35 preterm newborns to multiple heelstick procedures during their stay in the NICU. Sixty-one video recordings of blood collection by heel lance were evaluated for behavioral pain response using the NIPS. Generalized linear mixed models were calculated to address the study objectives.

RESULTS

The increases in NIPS scores from the baseline to the blood draw were highly significant (mean baseline score=3.34, mean blood draw score=5.45, p<0.001). The newborns' pain responses increased an average of 0.23 points on the NIPS scale each week (p=0.002). Lower NIPS scores during the heelstick procedure were associated with four clinical variables: younger post-menstrual age at birth, lower birthweight, mechanical ventilation, and longer length of stay in the NICU. Crying, arousal state, and facial grimace contributed more than 85% of the increase in NIPS scores during the heelstick procedure.

DISCUSSION

While behavioral responses to pain are attenuated in young, severely ill preterm newborns, they can be reliably detected. The most robust pain behaviors are crying, changes in arousal state, and facial grimacing.

Prevention of nasal injuries secondary to NCPAP application in the ELBW infant

Improved technology and management approaches that have reduced bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have decreased mortality and morbidity in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Early extubation to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) decreases the complications associated with long-term oral/nasal endotracheal intubation, including BPD, ventilator-associated pneumonia, volutrauma, subglottic stenosis, oral palatal grooves, and nasal septum erosion. Research and anecdotal evidence have shown that iatrogenic injuries to the nose also occur with extended time on NCPAP. Research observing associations between the patient interface and nasal injury has shown duration of therapy to be the most significant risk factor. Immature skin and developing nasal structures place ELBW infants at increased risk for injury. The challenge for NICU caregivers is maintaining the ELBW infant on NCPAP for extended periods without nasal injury. Appropriate protocols, practice guidelines, and staff education can decrease these injuries.

Oral sucrose and a pacifier for pain relief during simple procedures in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Previous randomized trials of the analgesic effects of sucrose, glucose, and a pacifier in term neonates have shown that the pacifier resulted in lower pain scores than glucose or sucrose, but the pacifier with and without sucrose did not differ. The current study was designed to assess the analgesic effect of pharmacologic (sucrose, water) and a non-pharmacologic measures (pacifier) in preterm infants and to find whether there is any synergism between these intervention in relieving pain during painful procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this double-blind, randomized, controlled study, 36 preterm infants (mean 31 weeks gestational age, range 27 to 36 weeks) were randomly allocated to six different regimens (0.5 mL sterile water with pacifier, 0.5 mL sterile water without pacifier, 0.5 mL sucrose 24% with pacifier, 0.5 mL sucrose 24% without pacifier, pacifier alone and control group) during a stay in intensive care of up to 15 days. Pain scores were measured with the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP), a validated behavioral acute pain scale.

RESULTS

Of all the regimens, the lowest pain scores occurred with the use of 24% sucrose solution combined with pacifier. The mean pain score for the combination of sucrose with pacifier was 0.7 as compared to 1.4 for the sterile water with pacifier group (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

The synergistic effect of the combination of sucrose and non-nutritive sucking was clinically effective and safe in relieving the pain of simple procedures such as venipuncture or heel stick in preterm and term infants, but further research is needed on these interventions alone and in combination with other behavioral interventions in neonates.

Influence of repeated painful procedures and sucrose analgesia on the development of hyperalgesia in newborn infants

This study determined the effects of cumulative exposure to painful needle procedures and sucrose analgesia on the development of remote hyperalgesia in newborn infants, defined as an increase in response to a normally painful stimulus at a site distal from the site of injury. One-hundred and twenty healthy newborns and 120 healthy newborn infants of diabetic mothers equally randomized to sucrose analgesia or placebo prior to all needle procedures in the first two days after birth were divided into two exposure groups according to number of needle procedures they had undergone [high (> or =5) or low (< or =4)] using the median cut-off technique. Compared to the low exposure group, infants in the high exposure group had a higher pain response during a subsequent venipuncture distal to the site of previous injury, assessed by the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) [7.1 vs. 8.4; p=0.012] and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [2.5 cm vs. 3.2 cm; p=0.047], and a trend for longer cry duration [25.7 s vs. 33.8 s; p=0.171]. PIPP scores did not differ during a routine diaper change, suggesting a nociceptive specific mechanism for the remote hyperalgesia to venipuncture. Sucrose reduced PIPP, VAS, and cry duration scores during venipuncture, but did not prevent hyperalgesia (p>0.05). There was a preponderance of infants of diabetic mothers in the high exposure group; however, the analysis did not demonstrate this to be a confounding factor. In conclusion, sucrose analgesia for repeated painful procedures in the first day of life does not prevent development of remote hyperalgesia in newborns.

A review of systematic reviews on pain interventions in hospitalized infants

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized infants undergo multiple, repeated painful procedures. Despite continued efforts to prevent procedural pain and improve pain management, clinical guidelines and standards frequently do not reflect the highest quality evidence from systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE

To critically appraise all systematic reviews on the effectiveness of procedural pain interventions in hospitalized infants.

METHODS

A structured review was conducted on published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions of acute procedural pain in hospitalized infants. Searches were completed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Two reviewers independently selected articles for review and rated the methodological quality of the included reviews using a validated seven-point quality assessment measure. Any discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer.

RESULTS

Of 1469 potential systematic reviews on interventions for painful procedures in hospitalized infants, 11 high-quality reviews were included in the analysis. Pharmacological interventions supported by research evidence included premedication for intubation, dorsal penile nerve block and EMLA (AstraZeneca Canada, Inc) for circumcision, and sucrose for single painful procedures. Non-nutritive sucking, swaddling, holding, touching, positioning, facilitative tucking, breast feeding and supplemental breast milk were nonpharmacological interventions supported for procedural pain.

CONCLUSION

There is a growing number of high-quality reviews supporting procedural pain management in infants. Ongoing research of single, repeated and combined pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions is required to provide the highest quality evidence to clinicians for decision-making on optimal pain management.

Reduced infant response to a routine care procedure after sucrose analgesia

OBJECTIVES

Sucrose has analgesic and calming effects in newborns. To date, it is not known whether the beneficial effects extend to caregiving procedures that are performed after painful procedures. Our objective was to determine the effect of sucrose analgesia for procedural pain on infant pain responses during a subsequent caregiving procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Healthy neonates within 2 strata (normal infants and infants of diabetic mothers) were randomly assigned to a sucrose or placebo water group before all needle procedures after birth. Pain response during a diaper change performed after venipuncture for the newborn screening test was determined by using a validated multidimensional measure, the Premature Infant Pain Profile.

RESULTS

The study was conducted between September 15, 2003, and July 27, 2004. Altogether, 412 parents were approached; 263 consented. Twenty-three infants were not assigned, leaving 240 for participation (n = 120 per group), with an equal number in each infant strata. Of those, 186 (78%) completed the study. There were no significant differences in birth characteristics between groups. During diaper change, sucrose-treated infants had lower pain scores than placebo-treated infants. The relative risk of having pain, defined as a Premature Infant Pain Profile score of >/=6, was 0.64 with sucrose compared with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that when used to manage pain, sucrose reduces the pain response to a subsequent routine caregiving procedure. Therefore, the benefits of sucrose analgesia extend beyond the painful event to other aversive and potentially painful procedures.

Thoracoscopic versus open repair of tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Recent studies show the minimally invasive approach to the repair of esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is feasible. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the thoracoscopic versus open techniques.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of EA/TEF cases from June 2000 to July 2006. Patient characteristics, operative time, blood loss, duration of narcotic usage, time to extubation, time to first oral feeding, length of stay, complications, and follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-five type-C EA/TEF patients were evaluated. Two patients with excessively long gaps who required esophageal "bougienage" stretching were excluded. Twenty-five patients underwent traditional repair through thoracotomy. There were 8 thoracoscopic attempts, 7 of which were successfully completed without a conversion. The mean operative time was 130 minutes (range, 75-240) for the thoracoscopic approach, compared to 123 (range, 82-205) for the thoracotomy; mean duration of narcotic use was 5 days (range, 1-12), as compared to 23 (range, 2-190); the mean time to extubation was 4.6 days (range, 1-12), compared to 19 (range, 3-150); the mean days to per os feeding were 9.8 days (range, 7-17) versus 37 (range, 7-360); and the mean length of stay was 21.8 days (range, 11-38), compared to 66 (range, 8-280). There were no intraoperative complications or deaths in either group. The anastomotic leak rate was 14 versus 20%, whereas the stricture rate was 14 versus 50% for the closed and open techniques, respectively. Of the thoracoscopic group, 87.5% had at least one major associated anomaly, compared with 70% of patients undergoing thoracotomy. Follow-up for the thoracoscopic and open groups were 18 and 28 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the outcomes of the thoracoscopic technique are comparable to that of the open technique. However, the number is small, and more data are needed to further evaluate the procedure.

Enhanced kangaroo mother care for heel lance in preterm neonates: a crossover trial

OBJECTIVE

To test if enhancing maternal skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo mother care (KMC) by adding rocking, singing and sucking is more efficacious than simple KMC for procedural pain in preterm neonates.

STUDY DESIGN

Preterm neonates (n=90) between 32 0/7 and 36 0/7 weeks' gestational age participated in a single-blind randomized crossover design. The infant was held in KMC with the addition of rocking, singing and sucking or the infant was held in KMC without additional stimulation. The Premature Infant Pain Profile was the primary outcome with time to recover as the secondary outcome. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance was employed for analyses.

RESULT

There were no significant differences in any of the 30 s time periods over the 2 min of blood sampling nor in time to return to baseline. Compared to historical controls of the same age in incubator, the pain scores were lower and comparable to other studies of KMC. There were site differences related to lower scores with the use of sucrose in one site and higher scores in younger, sicker infants in another site.

CONCLUSION

The sensorial stimulations from skin-to-skin contact that include tactile, olfactory sensations from the mother are sufficient to decrease pain response in premature neonates. Other studies showing that rocking, sucking and music were efficacious were independent of skin-to-skin contact, which, when used alone has been shown to be effective as reported across studies.

Neonatal physical therapy. Part I: clinical competencies and neonatal intensive care unit clinical training models

PURPOSE

To describe clinical training models, delineate clinical competencies, and outline a clinical decision-making algorithm for neonatal physical therapy.

KEY POINTS

In these updated practice guidelines, advanced clinical training models, including precepted practicum and residency or fellowship training, are presented to guide practitioners in organizing mentored, competency-based preparation for neonatal care. Clinical competencies in neonatal physical therapy are outlined with advanced clinical proficiencies and knowledge areas specific to each role. An algorithm for decision making on examination, evaluation, intervention, and re-examination processes provides a framework for clinical reasoning. Because of advanced-level competency requirements and the continuous examination, evaluation, and modification of procedures during each patient contact, the intensive care unit is a restricted practice area for physical therapist assistants, physical therapist generalists, and physical therapy students.

CONCLUSIONS/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Accountable, ethical physical therapy for neonates requires advanced, competency-based training with a preceptor in the pediatric subspecialty of neonatology.

Children's pain assessment in northeastern Thailand: perspectives of health professionals

Deficiencies in pain care within the developing world are starting to be realized. Children, in particular, are vulnerable, as preliminary studies suggest that these children receive less pain treatment because of health professionals' attitudes and beliefs. This article reports on some of the findings of the first study in a larger program of research aimed at improving pediatric pain care in Thailand. Improvements in practice are not simply the result of providing evidenced-based knowledge, but a complex process that includes the context of care. Given that little is known about the pain management experiences of Thai health professionals, including the challenges they face, we used focus groups to capture their stories. Data revealed a need for both updating pain knowledge and for supporting an increased use of appropriate practices. In this article, we focus on the issues concerning the assessment of pain resulting from underrecognizing children's pain and complex issues in communicating findings of children's pain.

Postoperative cardiorespiratory instability following ligation of the preterm ductus arteriosus is related to early need for intervention

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of postnatal age at patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation on postoperative need for cardiotropic support.

STUDY DESIGN

A significant proportion of premature infants with a hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus (HSDA) require surgical intervention. The relationship of postnatal maturation to postoperative cardiorespiratory stability is poorly understood. All preterm neonates who underwent PDA ligation between October 2002 and September 2004 were identified and divided according to postnatal age at ductal ligation, into early (<or=4 weeks, n=29) and late (>4 weeks, n=36) groups. Neonatal birth demographics and morbidities, characteristics of the HSDA and reason for ligation were reviewed. Indices of cardiorespiratory stability (for example heart rate, mean arterial pressure) were recorded before and 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h following ligation. Details of perioperative cardiovascular interventions (for example crystalloid boluses, cardiotropic agents) were recorded.

RESULT

There were no differences in baseline neonatal demographics between the groups although a greater number of babies requiring early ligation had contraindication to indomethacin as the main reason for ligation. Early PDA ligation was associated with increased postoperative cardiotrope requirement (27.6 vs 5.6%, P=0.02) and decreased systolic blood pressure 8 h after intervention (P<0.05). Although increased oxygenation index was observed in both groups during the first 12 h it was only sustained to 24 h in the early group (P<0.05). Age at ligation remained a significant risk factor for postoperative cardiotrope requirement on multiple logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Surgical ligation of the ductus arteriosus in preterm infants less than 28 days old is associated with oxygenation difficulties, decreased systolic arterial pressure and an increased need for cardiotropic support in the initial 24 postoperative hours. These data suggest the need to prospectively characterize perioperative cardiovascular physiology and identify predictive factors of clinical deterioration.

Indicators of pain in neonates at risk for neurological impairment

AIM

This paper is a report of a study to compare the importance and usefulness ratings of physiological and behavioural indicators of pain in neonates at risk for neurological impairment by nurse clinicians and pain researchers.

BACKGROUND

Neonates at risk for neurological impairment have not been systematically included in neonatal pain measure development and how clinicians and researchers view pain indicators in these infants is unknown.

METHODS

Data triangulation was undertaken in three Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units using data from: (a) 149 neonates at high, moderate and low risk for neurological impairment, (b) 95 nurse clinicians from the three units where infant data were collected and (c) 14 international pain researchers. Thirteen indicators were assessed following heel lance in neonates and 39 indicators generated from nurse clinicians and pain researchers were assessed for importance and accuracy. Data were collected between 2004 and 2005.

RESULTS

Across risk groups, indicators with the highest accuracy for discriminating 'pain' among neonates were: brow bulge (77-83%), eye squeeze (75-84%), nasolabial furrow (79-81%), and total facial expression (78-83%). Correlations between nurse ratings and neonatal accuracy scores ranged from moderate to none (mild risk r = 0.52, P = 0.07; moderate r = 0.43, P = 0.15; high r = -0.12, P = 0.69). Researchers demonstrated a better understanding of the importance of pain indicators (mild risk, r = 0.91, P < 0.001; moderate 0.85, P < 0.001; 0.0002; high r = 0.64, P = 0.019) than nurse clinicians.

CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION

Facial actions were rated as the most important indicators of neonatal pain. However, as neurological impairment risk increased, physiological indicators were rated more important by nurse clinicians and pain researchers, opposite to pain indicators demonstrated by neonates.

Electroencephalographic response to procedural pain in healthy term newborn infants

The current study aimed to characterize changes in EEG-related measures after noxious stimuli in neonates and to assess their potential utility as measures of pain and/or discomfort during neonatal intensive care. Seventy-two healthy term infants were investigated: Twenty-eight had a non-skin-breaking pin-prick on the heel, randomized to receive either oral glucose (n = 16) or water (n = 12) before the stimulus. Twenty-one infants were studied during a venous blood sample from the dorsum of the hand, 23 infants during a capillary heel stick. Behavioral pain responses were assessed with the Premature Infant Pain Profile Scale. The stimulus evoked a significant increase in higher frequency components (10-30 Hz) which also correlated to behavioral measures. The frontotemporal localization of the increased activity with frequency bands similar to electromuscular artifacts and the relation to behavioral measures confirmed that this activity corresponds to an increase in muscle tone. There was no change in frontal EEG asymmetry in any of the groups. The present results indicate that responses in cortical activity recorded by EEG are not useful for clinical assessment of infants' responses to noxious stimuli.

Morphine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in preterm and term neonates: secondary results from the NEOPAIN trial

BACKGROUND

Relationships between plasma morphine concentrations and neonatal responses to endotracheal tube (ETT) suctioning are unknown in preterm neonates.

METHODS

Ventilated preterm neonates (n=898) from 16 centres were randomly assigned to placebo (n=449) or morphine (n=449). After an i.v. loading dose (100 microg kg(-1)), morphine infusions [23-26 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) 10 microg kg(-1) h(-1); 27-29 weeks 20 microg kg(-1) h(-1); and 30-32 weeks 30 microg kg(-1) h(-1)] were established for a maximum of 14 days. Open-label morphine (20-100 microg kg(-1)) was given for pain or agitation. Morphine assay and neonatal response to ETT suctioning was measured at 20-28 and 70-76 h after starting the drug infusion and at 10-14 h after discontinuation of the study drug. The concentration-effect response was investigated using non-linear mixed effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 5119 data points (1598 measured morphine concentrations and 3521 effect measures) were available from 875 neonates for analysis. Clearance was 50% that of the mature value at 54.2 weeks PMA (CLmat(50)) and increased from 2.05 litre h(-1) 70 kg(-1) at 24 weeks PMA to 6.04 litre h(-1) 70 kg(-1) at 32 weeks PMA. The volume of distribution in preterm neonates was 190 litre 70 kg(-1) (CV 51%) and did not change with age. There was no relationship between morphine concentrations (range 0-440 microg litre(-1)) and heart rate changes associated with ETT suctioning or with the Premature Infant Pain Profile.

CONCLUSIONS

A sigmoid curve describing maturation of morphine clearance is moved to the right in preterm neonates and volume of distribution is increased compared with term neonates. Morphine does not alter the neonatal response to ETT suctioning.

Remifentanil for percutaneous intravenous central catheter placement in preterm infant: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on the analgesic efficacy of opioids during percutaneous intravenous central catheter (PICC) insertion in preterm infants.

AIM

To assess the analgesic and procedural efficacy of low-dose remifentanil infusion during PICC in preterm infants.

METHODS

Fifty-four neonates [mean gestational age (+/-sd) 28 +/- 2 weeks; birth weight 1126 +/- 337 g] were randomly assigned to remifentanil infusion at 0.03 mcg.kg(-1).min(-1) (R) or placebo (C) in addition to 0.3 ml of 12% sucrose per os and non-nutritive sucking.

RESULTS

Validated pain scales [Neonatal Infants Pain Scale (NIPS) and Premature Infants Pain Profile (PIPP)] administered at the baseline T0, skin preparation T1, needle insertion T2, and recovery T3, revealed differences in mean NIPS scores (C 5.3 +/- 1.3 vs R 4.2 +/- 1.4 at T1 and C 5.0 +/- 1.3 vs R 3.4 +/- 1.3 at T2) and PIPP scores (C 9.3 +/- 1.6 vs R 7.1 +/- 1.5 at T1 and C 8.6 +/- 1.7 vs R 6.1 +/- 1.4 at T2); P < 0.05. Cardiovascular and respiratory response, and body movements during PICC suggested better pain and distress control with remifentanil (P < 0.05), but the time to complete the maneuver and the number of attempts needed remained the same in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose remifentanil has a measurable, synergic analgesic effect in combination with 12% sucrose and non-nutritive sucking, but does not make PICC easier or quicker.

Assessment, physiological monitoring, and consequences of inadequately treated acute pain

Postoperative pain is a major health care issue. Several factors have contributed to inadequate postoperative pain control, including a lack of understanding of preemptive pain management strategies, mistaken beliefs and expectations of patients, inconsistencies in pain assessment practices, use of as-needed analgesics that patients must request, and lack of analgesic regimens that account for interindividual differences and requirements. Untreated acute pain has the potential to produce acute neurohumoral changes, neuronal remodeling, and long-lasting psychologic and emotional distress and may lead to prolonged chronic pain states. To effectively manage postoperative pain, nurses must be able to adequately assess pain severity in diverse patient populations, understand how to monitor physiologic changes associated with pain and its treatment, be prepared to address the psychosocial experiences accompanying pain, and know the consequences of inadequate analgesia. It is important for nurses to be aware of relevant research and evidence-based guidelines that are available to guide pain assessments and patient monitoring practices.

Pain behaviours in Extremely Low Gestational Age infants

BACKGROUND

To date, there are over 40 infant pain measures. Despite this plethora of measures, only 8 have included preterm infants and only 2 have included Extremely Low Gestational Age (ELGA; infants <28 weeks GA) in their development. Without reliable, valid and clinically useful indicators for procedural pain in ELGA infants, clinicians have no means to interpret the responses from an immature infant who may respond differently from infants of older GA.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the physiological, behavioural and biochemical responses to painful and non-painful procedures in ELGA infants and the influence of GA and sex.

DESIGN/METHODS

A prospective crossover design with 50 ELGA infants from one Canadian tertiary level NICU was conducted. Infants were assessed in random order during standardized painful (heel lance) and non-painful (diaper change) procedures. Physiological (heart rate, oxygen saturation) and behavioural (facial and body movement) indicators were continuously collected during 4 phases of the procedures. Biochemical (salivary cortisol) indicators were collected immediately before and 20 min following the procedures.

RESULTS

Four facial actions (brow bulge, eye squeeze, nasolabial furrow, vertical mouth stretch) increased immediately following the heel lance. There were no specific changes in physiological, body movement or cortisol indicators following the heel lance. ELGA infants demonstrated greater body movements during the diaper change, which may reflect immature motor coordination. No differences in pain responses were found for infants born between 23-25 6/7 weeks GA and those between 26-28 weeks GA. Similarly, no gender differences were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in 4 facial actions were the most sensitive indicators of pain in ELGA infants. This finding is consistent with existing measures where facial actions are the most prominent pain indicators. Specific body movements such as those included in NIDCAP, may provide more information about pain in ELGA infants. Movements such as hand-on-face, finger splaying, fisting, arching or yawning need to be examined in future research.

Effectiveness of sucrose analgesia in newborns undergoing painful medical procedures

BACKGROUND

Sucrose is widely used to manage procedural pain in term newborns despite a lack of evidence of its effectiveness for different procedures and infant populations. Our objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sucrose in newborns undergoing various medical procedures within 2 days of birth.

METHODS

We performed a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. We included newborns (>or= 36 weeks gestation) of diabetic mothers and nondiabetic mothers. Each newborn received 2 mL of a 24%-sucrose or placebo solution before all procedures. We used the Premature Infant Pain Profile to assess pain during intramuscular injection of vitamin K, venipuncture for the newborn screening test and the first 3 heel lances for glucose monitoring (newborns of diabetic mothers only). Scores ranged from from 0 (no pain) to 18 (maximum pain).

RESULTS

We included 240 newborns (120 from diabetic mothers, 120 from nondiabetic mothers). The overall mean pain score was lower among newborns who received sucrose than among those who received a placebo (mean difference -1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.0 to -0.6). We found that pain scores during intramuscular injection did not differ significantly between the sucrose and placebo groups for newborns of diabetic or nondiabetic mothers (newborns of nondiabetic mothers: mean difference -1.1, 95% CI -2.4 to 0.2; newborns of diabetic mothers: mean difference -1.0, 95% CI -2.4 to 0.4). During venipuncture, newborns who received sucrose had lower pain scores compared with those who received a placebo (newborns of nondiabetic mothers: mean difference -3.2, 95% CI -4.6 to -1.8; newborns of diabetic mothers: mean difference -2.4, 95% CI -3.8 to -1.0). Among newborns of diabetic mothers, there was no difference in pain during the first 3 heel lances or mean glucose levels between the sucrose and placebo groups (p = 0.94 and p = 0.29 respectively).

INTERPRETATION

We found a modest reduction of pain in newborns of both diabetic and nondiabetic mothers when sucrose was used for all medical procedures performed in the first 2 days after birth. However, when each procedure was analyzed separately, we found that the effectiveness of sucrose was limited to venipuncture for the newborn screening test. (http://Clinicaltrials.gov trial register no. NCT00213213.).

How well do clinical pain assessment tools reflect pain in infants?

BACKGROUND

Pain in infancy is poorly understood, and medical staff often have difficulty assessing whether an infant is in pain. Current pain assessment tools rely on behavioural and physiological measures, such as change in facial expression, which may not accurately reflect pain experience. Our ability to measure cortical pain responses in young infants gives us the first opportunity to evaluate pain assessment tools with respect to the sensory input and establish whether the resultant pain scores reflect cortical pain processing.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Cortical haemodynamic activity was measured in infants, aged 25-43 wk postmenstrual, using near-infrared spectroscopy following a clinically required heel lance and compared to the magnitude of the premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score in the same infant to the same stimulus (n = 12, 33 test occasions). Overall, there was good correlation between the PIPP score and the level of cortical activity (regression coefficient = 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] limits 0.32-1.11, p = 0.001; correlation coefficient = 0.57). Of the different PIPP components, facial expression correlated best with cortical activity (regression coefficient = 1.26, 95% CI limits 0.84-1.67, p < 0.0001; correlation coefficient = 0.74) (n = 12, 33 test occasions). Cortical pain responses were still recorded in some infants who did not display a change in facial expression.

CONCLUSIONS

While painful stimulation generally evokes parallel cortical and behavioural responses in infants, pain may be processed at the cortical level without producing detectable behavioural changes. As a result, an infant with a low pain score based on behavioural assessment tools alone may not be pain free.

Postoperative pain assessment in preverbal children and children with cognitive impairment

Postoperative pain assessment and management in preverbal children and children with cognitive impairment poses major challenges to pediatric anesthesiologists. An accurate diagnosis of extent of pain is the keystone for the successful management of pain. This article reviews the neurobiology of pain at birth, long-term consequences of early pain and different pediatric pain assessment tools used for postoperative assessment in infants, young children, and children with cognitive disabilities.

Lower stress responses after Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program care during eye screening examinations for retinopathy of prematurity: a randomized study

OBJECTIVE

Screening examination for retinopathy of prematurity is distressing and painful. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program intervention during a retinopathy of prematurity examination results in less adverse behavioral, pain, and stress responses as compared with standard care.

METHODS

The first 2 eye examinations in 36 preterm infants were evaluated. The infants were randomly assigned at the first eye examination to receive either Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program care or standard care. At the second examination, crossover of subject assignment was performed. The assessments included behavioral responses; recordings of heart rate, respiration, and oxygenation; pain scores (premature infant pain profile); and salivary cortisol at defined time points up to 4 hours after the eye examination. The nursing support given during the eye examinations (intervention score) were scored using predefined criteria.

RESULTS

Altogether, 68 examinations were evaluated. Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program care was associated with better behavioral scores during the examination but there was no difference in heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygenation, or premature infant pain profile score between the 2 care strategies before or after the eye examination. Salivary cortisol increased from baseline to 30 minutes after the eye examination independent of care strategy and decreased significantly between 30 and 60 minutes when infants were subjected to Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program care but not after standard care. During the study period the intervention score for standard care increased and approached the score for Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program care at the later eye examinations.

CONCLUSION

A Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program-based intervention during eye examination does not decrease pain responses but results in faster recovery, as measured by lower salivary cortisol 60 minutes after the examination. The differences were seen despite the influence from the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program intervention on the standard care treatment that occurred during the study period.

Kangaroo mother care diminishes pain from heel lance in very preterm neonates: a crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been shown to be efficacious in diminishing pain response to heel lance in full term and moderately preterm neonates. The purpose of this study was to determine if KMC would also be efficacious in very preterm neonates.

METHODS

Preterm neonates (n = 61) between 28 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks gestational age in three Level III NICU's in Canada comprised the sample. A single-blind randomized crossover design was employed. In the experimental condition, the infant was held in KMC for 15 minutes prior to and throughout heel lance procedure. In the control condition, the infant was in prone position swaddled in a blanket in the incubator. The primary outcome was the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP), which is comprised of three facial actions, maximum heart rate, minimum oxygen saturation levels from baseline in 30-second blocks from heel lance. The secondary outcome was time to recover, defined as heart rate return to baseline. Continuous video, heart rate and oxygen saturation monitoring were recorded with event markers during the procedure and were subsequently analyzed. Repeated measures analysis-of-variance was employed to generate results.

RESULTS

PIPP scores at 90 seconds post lance were significantly lower in the KMC condition (8.871 (95%CI 7.852-9.889) versus 10.677 (95%CI 9.563-11.792) p < .001) and non-significant mean differences ranging from 1.2 to1.8. favoring KMC condition at 30, 60 and 120 seconds. Time to recovery was significantly shorter, by a minute(123 seconds (95%CI 103-142) versus 193 seconds (95%CI 158-227). Facial actions were highly significantly lower across all points in time reaching a two-fold difference by 120 seconds post-lance and heart rate was significantly lower across the first 90 seconds in the KMC condition.

CONCLUSION

Very preterm neonates appear to have endogenous mechanisms elicited through skin-to-skin maternal contact that decrease pain response, but not as powerfully as in older preterm neonates. The shorter recovery time in KMC is clinically important in helping maintain homeostasis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

(Current Controlled Trials) ISRCTN63551708.

Evaluation of analgesic effect of skin-to-skin contact compared to oral glucose in preterm neonates

Nonpharmacological interventions are important alternatives for pain relief during minor procedures in preterm neonates. Skin-to-skin contact or kangaroo mother care is a human and efficient way of caring for low-weight preterm neonates. The aim of the present study was to assess the analgesic effect of kangaroo care compared to oral glucose on the response of healthy preterm neonates to a low-intensity acute painful stimulus. Ninety-five preterm neonates with a postmenstrual age of 28-36 weeks were randomly assigned to three groups in a single-blind manner. In group 1 (isolette, n=33), the neonate was in the prone position in the isolette during heel lancing and did not receive analgesia. In group 2 (kangaroo method, n=31), the neonate was held in skin-to-skin contact for 10 min before and during the heel-lancing procedure. In group 3 (glucose, n=31), the neonate was in the prone position in the isolette and received oral glucose (1 ml, 25%) 2 min before heel lancing. A smaller variation in heart rate (p=0.0001) and oxygen saturation (p=0.0012), a shorter duration of facial activity (brow bulge, eye squeeze and nasolabial furrowing) (p=0.0001), and a lower PIPP (Premature Infant Pain Profile) score (p=0.0001) were observed in group 2. In conclusion, skin-to-skin contact produced an analgesic effect in preterm newborns during heel lancing.

Facial expression and pain assessment in the pediatric patient: the primal face of pain

PURPOSE

This paper aims to explore the role of facial expression in pediatric pain assessment. A comparison of tools employing facial expression methodology is presented. The concept of the primal face of pain (PFP) is introduced.

CONCLUSION

The PFP offers an explanation to the utility and deficiency of facial pain scales and facial expression in pain assessment.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The complexities of pain measurement should preclude the clinical application of untested instruments. For reported tools, a careful evaluation of the psychometric properties and the clinical context must precede application. The concept of the PFP warns against the application of facial pain scales as proxy measures in their intended population. Reliance on facial expression to assess pain in the school-age child is imprecise.

Opioids for neonates receiving mechanical ventilation

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation is a potentially painful and discomforting intervention widely used in neonatal intensive care units. Newborn babies (neonates) demonstrate increased sensitivity to pain, which may affect clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The use of drugs that reduce pain might be important in improving survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of opioid analgesics (pain-killing drugs derived from opium e.g. morphine), compared to placebo, no drug, or other non-opioid analgesics or sedatives, on pain, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborn infants on mechanical ventilation.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic searches included: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2007); MEDLINE (1966 to June 2007); EMBASE (1974 to June 2007); and CINAHL (1982 to 2007). Previous reviews and lists of relevant articles were cross-referenced.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing opioids to a control, or to other analgesics or sedatives in newborn infants on mechanical ventilation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted independently by two review authors. Categorical outcomes were analysed using relative risk and risk difference; and continuous outcomes with weighted mean difference or standardised mean difference. A fixed effect model was used for meta-analysis except where heterogeneity existed, in which case a random effects model was used.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirteen studies on 1505 infants were included. Infants given opioids showed reduced premature infant pain profile (PIPP) scores compared to the control group (weighted mean difference -1.71; 95% confidence interval -3.18 to -0.24). Differences in execution and reporting of trials mean that this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution. Heterogeneity was significantly high in all analyses of pain, even when lower quality studies were excluded and analysis limited to very preterm newborns. Meta-analyses of mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, and long and short-term neurodevelopmental outcomes showed no statistically significant differences. Very preterm infants given morphine took significantly longer to reach full enteral feeding than those in control groups (weighted mean difference 2.10 days; 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 3.85). One study compared morphine with a sedative: the treatments showed similar pain scores, but morphine had fewer adverse effects.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of opioids in mechanically ventilated newborns. Opioids should be used selectively, when indicated by clinical judgment and evaluation of pain indicators. If sedation is required, morphine is safer than midazolam. Further research is needed.

Amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic changes in a newborn induced by overdose of morphine and corrected with naloxone

The amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is a useful tool to assess brain function after perinatal asphyxia in term infants. We report a full-term newborn with moderate perinatal asphyxia, who accidentally received an overdose of morphine (5000 microg/kg). The overdose of morphine resulted in a clear and immediate change of aEEG background activity from a continuous (C) to discontinuous (DC) background pattern. After administration of naloxone, the background activity restored immediately to continuous background pattern. The aEEG was used to monitor the stepwise reduction in continuous naloxone infusion.

CONCLUSION

An overdose of morphine leads to clear and immediate changes in aEEG which restore after naloxone treatment. The aEEG can be used to monitor naloxone infusion.

Comparison of pain responses in infants of different gestational ages

BACKGROUND

There is a plethora of infant pain measures; however, none of them have been validated for extremely low for gestational age (ELGA) infants (<27 weeks' gestation). To date, clinicians, researchers and parents use information gleaned from more mature infants to make inferences about pain in ELGA infants. Using physiological or behavioral pain indicators derived from more mature infants may lead to inaccurate assessments and management.

OBJECTIVES

To compare physiological (heart rate, oxygen saturation) and behavioral (9 facial activities, cry) pain indicators of ELGA infants with infants of varying more mature gestational ages (GAs).

METHODS

The aim was to determine the effects of GA on pain response. GA was categorized into four mutually exclusive strata: <27 6/7 weeks, 28-31 6/7 weeks, 32-35 6/7 weeks and >36 weeks. Physiological data during four phases of a routine heel lance were collected by placing disposable ECG electrodes and pulse oximetry probes on the infant's chest. Behavioral data were collected by videotaping facial activities, and cry data were collected by audio recording.

RESULTS

Four facial activities (brow bulge, eye squeeze, nasolabial furrow, vertical mouth stretch) in response to acute pain were present in ELGA infants. Facial activities increased following painful procedures and the magnitude of responses was proportional to GA with the youngest infants (<27 6/7 weeks GA) showing the least amount of change. Decreased oxygen saturation and increased heart rate were associated with the most invasive phase of the heel lance; however, the differences were neither clinically or statistically significant across age groups. Cry was not a sensitive pain indicator in ELGA infants, due to the presence of endotracheal tubes in this high-risk population.

DISCUSSION

ELGA infants have similar pain responses to older infants, but the responses are dampened. Other factors such as severity of illness, frequency of painful procedures or medication use should be examined, as they may influence the pain responses in ELGA infants.

Skin conductance compared to a combined behavioural and physiological pain measure in newborn infants

AIM

To assess the ability of galvanic skin response (GSR) to differentiate between tactile and painful stimulation in newborn infants, and to compare this with the ability of the premature infant pain profile (PIPP).

METHODS

Thirty-two healthy full-term infants undergoing routine blood sampling were recruited. In a randomized order they were subjected to tactile and painful stimulation. The three GSR variables conductance baseline level, number of waves per second and mean amplitude of the waves were recorded together with the behavioural and physiological variables of PIPP.

RESULTS

The GSR variables number of waves and amplitude of the waves increased more during painful stimulation than during tactile stimulation, as did also the PIPP score. Receiver operating characteristic curves analysis revealed no significant differences between the studied methods.

CONCLUSION

GSR can differentiate painful from tactile stimulation, but more research is needed to achieve a clinically useful application.

Is it painful or not? Discriminant validity of the Behavioral Indicators of Infant Pain (BIIP) scale

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the ability of the Behavioral Indicators of Infant Pain (BIIP) scale to discriminate between skin-breaking and nonskin breaking procedures, and to identify sensitized pain responses in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODS

Sixty-nine infants born between 24 and 32 weeks gestational age were assessed at 32 weeks postconceptional age during blood collection on one day (procedure A), and then on another day during blood collection preceded by a diaper change (procedure B). Procedure order was randomized. Outcome measures were changes in BIIP coded from continuous bedside video recordings and changes in heart rate (HR).

RESULTS

During blood collection (procedure A), BIIP scores (P<0.0001) and mean HR (P<0.0001) were higher than during the diaper change and higher when the infants had had a preceding diaper change (procedure B vs. procedure A) (P<0.03). HR changed from baseline to the stressors for each procedure. No differences in mean HR were observed during Lance phase between the procedure A and the B blood collection; however, HR remained elevated significantly during the Recovery phase when blood collection was preceded by the diaper change (P<0.03).

DISCUSSION

The BIIP scale is reliable, accurate, and valid assessment for measuring acute pain in preterm infants in the NICU. This assessment combines the relatively most specific, anatomically based, theoretically derived indicators; and it allows evaluation of behavioral and physiologic pain responses separately.

Clinical reliability and validity of the N-PASS: neonatal pain, agitation and sedation scale with prolonged pain

OBJECTIVE

To establish beginning evidence of clinical validity and reliability of the Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS) in neonates with prolonged pain postoperatively and during mechanical ventilation.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective psychometric evaluation. Two nurses administered the N-PASS simultaneously and independently before and after pharmacologic interventions for pain or sedation. One nurse also administered the premature infant pain profile (PIPP) concurrently with the N-PASS. The setting consisted of 50-bed level III neonatal intensive care unit. Convenience sample of 72 observations of 46 ventilated and/or postoperative infants, 0 to 100 days of age, gestational age 23 to 40 weeks was used. Outcome measures comprised convergent and construct validity, interrater reliability and internal consistency.

RESULT

Interrater reliability measured by intraclass coefficients of 0.85 to 0.95 was high (P<0.001 to 0.0001). Convergent validity was demonstrated by correlation with the PIPP scores (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of 0.83 at high pain scores, 0.61 at low pain scores). Internal consistency, measured by Cronbach's alpha, was evident with pain scores (0.82), and with sedation scores (0.87). Construct validity was established via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, comparing the distribution of N-PASS scores before and after pharmacologic intervention showing pain scores of 4.86 (3.38) and 1.81 (1.53) (mean (s.d.), P<0.0001) and sedation scores of 0.85 (1.66) and -2.78 (2.81) (P<0.0001) for pre- and postintervention assessments, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This research provides beginning evidence that the N-PASS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing pain/agitation and sedation in ventilated and/or postoperative infants 0 to 100 days of age, and 23 weeks gestation and above.

Initial validation of the Behavioral Indicators of Infant Pain (BIIP)

Accurate pain assessment in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is complex. Infants who are born at early gestational ages (GA), and who have had greater early pain exposure, have dampened facial responses which may lead to under-treatment. Since behavioral and physiological responses to pain in infants are often dissociated, using multidimensional scales which combine these indicators into a single score may limit our ability to determine the effects of interventions on each system. Our aim was to design a unidimensional scale which would combine the relatively most specific, individual, behavioral indicators for assessing acute pain in this population. The Behavioral Indicators of Infant Pain (BIIP) combines sleep/wake states, 5 facial actions and 2 hand actions. Ninety-two infants born between 23 and 32 weeks GA were assessed during 3, 1 min Phases of blood collection. Outcome measures included changes in BIIP and in Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) scores coded in real time from continuous bedside video recordings; changes in heart rate (HR) were obtained using custom physiological processing software. Scores on the BIIP changed significantly across Phases of blood collection (p<0.01). Internal consistency (0.82) and inter-rater reliability (0.80-0.92) were high. Correlations between the BIIP and NIPS were modest (r=0.64, p<0.01) as were correlations between the BIIP and mean heart rate (r=0.45, p<0.01). In this initial study, the BIIP has been shown to be a reliable, valid scale for assessing acute pain in preterm infants in the NICU.