Assessment of newborn pain during arterial puncture: an observational analytical study

Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2021 Oct 25;33(3):434-439. doi: 10.5935/0103-507X.20210058. eCollection 2021.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate pain intensity during arterial puncture performed in newborns admitted to a neonatal progressive care unit and to evaluate the perception of health professionals regarding neonatal pain.

Methods: This was an observational analytical study in which 62 arterial punctures were performed in 35 neonates. Pain was assessed during collection using the Premature Infant Pain Profile scale. The health professionals responsible for collection evaluated pain using a verbal numerical scale ranging from zero to ten. The data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Science software.

Results: Among the newborns, 30.6% (n = 19) had no pain or mild pain (0 - 6), 24.2% (n = 15) had mild to moderate pain (7 - 11) and 45.2% (28) had severe pain (12 - 21). It was found that health professionals identified pain during the procedure.

Conclusion: Arterial puncture is considered a painful procedure that can result in mild to severe pain. The adoption of systematic evaluation strategies is necessary to enable appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Objetivo: Avaliar a intensidade de dor durante a punção arterial realizada em recém-nascidos internados em uma unidade de cuidados progressivos neonatais e avaliar a percepção do profissional em relação à dor neonatal.

Métodos: Estudo observacional analítico, em que foram observadas 62 punções arteriais realizadas em 35 neonatos. Avaliou-se a dor durante a coleta pela escala Premature Infant Pain Profile. Os profissionais responsáveis pela coleta avaliaram a dor pela escala numérica verbal de zero a dez. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva por meio do programa Statistical Package for the Social Science.

Resultados: Entre os recém-nascidos, 30,6% (n = 19) não tiveram dor ou tiveram dor leve (0 - 6), 24,2% (n = 15) apresentaram dor leve a moderada (7 - 11) e 45,2% (28) dor intensa (12 - 21). Constatou-se que os profissionais identificam a dor durante o procedimento.

Conclusão: A punção arterial é considerada um procedimento doloroso e pode resultar em dor leve a intensa, sendo necessária a adoção de estratégias sistematizadas de avaliação, possibilitando a intervenção terapêutica adequada.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Health Personnel
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Pain* / etiology
  • Punctures* / adverse effects