AAP Updates Recommendations for Management of Procedural Pain in Neonates

Limiting neonatal procedures, objective assessment of pain, and judicious use of pain management are highlighted in the policy statement.

Pain during neonatal procedures is inconsistently assessed and often inadequately treated. In addition to ethical reasons for pain alleviation, research has shown that repeated painful stimuli early in life are associated with physiologic instability, dysregulation of stress response systems, and abnormal neurodevelopment. Based on recent evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its recommendations for the prevention and management of procedural pain in neonates.

Among the recommendations:

Hospitals and clinics that provide neonatal care should have written guidelines for pain prevention (including minimizing the number of painful procedures) and treatment.
Validated neonatal pain assessment tools should be used before, during,…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics