Changes in physiological and behavioural pain indicators over time in preterm and term infants at risk for neurologic impairment.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 10% of infants admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are at risk for Neurological Impairment (NI). While we have limited knowledge on the influence of NI risk on pain responses, we have no knowledge of how these responses change over time.


OBJECTIVE
To compare physiological and behavioural pain responses of infants at three levels of NI risk during the NICU neonatal period (Session 1) and at 6 months of age (Session 2).


METHODS
Prospective observational design with 149 preterm and term infants at high (Cohort A, n=54), moderate (Cohort B, n=45) and mild (Cohort C, n=50) risks for NI from 3 Canadian tertiary level NICUs. Infants were observed in the NICU during 3 standardized phases of a heel lance: baseline, stick and return-to-baseline. At 6 months, infants were observed during the same three phases during an intramuscular immunization injection. Physiological (heart rate, oxygen saturation) and behavioural (9 facial actions, cry) responses were continuously recorded.


RESULTS
A significant interaction of Phase by Session was found with less total facial activity observed during Session 2 (all p values<0.04). A significant interaction for Session by Cohort was found, showing that infants in Cohort A had significantly more change from baseline-to-stick phase for brow bulge, eye squeeze, nasolabial furrow and open lips between sessions with less facial actions demonstrated at Session 2 (all p<0.02). There were significantly lower mean and minimum heart rate (all p<0.02) and higher minimum and maximum oxygen saturation (p<0.04) at Session 2. Significantly higher mean and minimum fundamental cry frequencies (pitch) in Cohort B (p<0.04) were found in Session 1. Cohort A had significantly longer cry durations, but no significant differences in cry dysphonation.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioural and physiological infant pain responses were generally diminished at 6 months of age compared to those in the neonatal period with some differences between NI risk groups in cry responses. Future exploration into the explanation for these differences between sessions and cohorts is warranted.
Interdisciplinary Research, NICU, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada. sharyn.gibbins@sunnybrook.ca
Sharyn
S
Gibbins
Bonnie
B
Stevens
Patrick
P
McGrath
Annie
A
Dupuis
Janet
J
Yamada
Joseph
J
Beyene
Lynn
L
Breau
Carol
C
Camfield
G Allen
GA
Finley
Linda
L
Franck
Celeste
C
Johnston
Patricia
P
McKeever
Karel
K
O'Brien
Arne
A
Ohlsson
D015331:Cohort Studies; D005149:Facial Expression; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration