Multidimensional pain assessment in premature neonates: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the physiologic and behavioral responses of premature neonates to a painful stimulus.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
Secondary-level neonatal unit in a large metropolitan university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Forty neonates between 32 and 34 weeks' postconceptual age and less than 5 days' postnatal age.


METHODS
Physiologic (heart rate, oxygen saturation, and intracranial pressure) and behavioral (facial expression and cry) outcomes observed during a routine heel stick.


RESULTS
Physiologic responses were significant, but were not specific to pain. Behavioral responses were more promising and indicated that premature neonates were capable of responding in a manner similar to full-term neonates.


CONCLUSIONS
Premature neonates are capable of expressing their pain in a manner similar to healthy, full-term neonates. Factors that alter this response were not clearly delineated. Further research is needed to determine more precise patterns of response in this age group.
Stevens
B J
BJ
Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Johnston
C C
CC
Horton
L
L
D000367:Age Factors; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003448:Crying; D005149:Facial Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010146:Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects
D010100:Oxygen