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Review
. 2018 Dec;30(4):549-561.
doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2018.07.013.

Neonatal Pain: Perceptions and Current Practice

Mallory Perry  1 , Zewen Tan  2 , Jie Chen  1 , Tessa Weidig  1 , Wanli Xu  1 , Xiaomei S Cong  3
Affiliations
Review

Neonatal Pain: Perceptions and Current Practice

Mallory Perry et al. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Neonates may experience more than 300 painful procedures throughout their hospitalizations. Prior to 1980, there was a longstanding misconception that neonates do not experience pain. Current studies demonstrate that not only do neonates experience pain but also, due to their immature nervous systems, they are hypersensitive to painful stimuli. Poorly treated pain may lead to negative long-term consequences. Proper assessment of neonate pain is vital. The use of nonpharmacologic treatments may be beneficial in alleviating neonate pain. Pharmacologic treatments in the neonate have been well established. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions can be used in conjunction to increase the efficacy of analgesia.

Keywords: Barriers; Neonatal care; Nonpharmacologic intervention; Pain; Pharmacologic intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:

The authors have nothing to disclose.

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