Procedural pain guidelines for the newborn in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: To assess the use of analgesia guidelines for newborn infants in the United Kingdom.

Study design: Postal questionnaire to every neonatal unit in the United Kingdom.

Result: A total of 192 of 244 units replied (78.7% response). Most units had a guideline for elective intubation (70%), sedation for ventilation (78%) post-operative pain (when appropriate) (74%). Less prevalent were guidelines for painful minor procedures (35%). Only 33% of units gave a sweet-tasting solution for analgesia before routine painful procedures and 12% used a topical anesthetic cream.

Conclusion: Since the last survey in 2000 there has been a modest increased uptake in measures to prevent pain neonatal pain in the United Kingdom, but no pain guideline was present in almost 25% of units and no guideline for routine painful procedures in the majority.