[Pain and pain relief in neonates and infants]

Abstract

We review the development of the anatomical and physiological basis for nociception. We point out the ability of babies, even those who are born very prematurely, to feel pain. Procedures which would be painful to older children and adults are also painful to newborns and infants. A sick infant in intensive care may be particularly sensitive to the destabilizing effects of pain, and analgesics will very often be indicated in such infants. We discuss various types of analgesia suitable for infants, and doses of commonly used analgesics.