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Procedural pain guidelines for the newborn in the United Kingdom

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 107–111 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the use of analgesia guidelines for newborn infants in the United Kingdom.

Study Design:

Postal questionnaire to every neonatal unit in the United Kingdom.

Result:

A total of 192 of 244 units replied (78.7% response). Most units had a guideline for elective intubation (70%), sedation for ventilation (78%) post-operative pain (when appropriate) (74%). Less prevalent were guidelines for painful minor procedures (35%). Only 33% of units gave a sweet-tasting solution for analgesia before routine painful procedures and 12% used a topical anesthetic cream.

Conclusion:

Since the last survey in 2000 there has been a modest increased uptake in measures to prevent pain neonatal pain in the United Kingdom, but no pain guideline was present in almost 25% of units and no guideline for routine painful procedures in the majority.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, St James University Hospital, Leeds, UK

    L McKechnie

  2. Department of Academic Paediatrics and Neonatology, University of Leeds, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK

    M Levene

Authors
  1. L McKechnie
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  2. M Levene
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Correspondence to L McKechnie.

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McKechnie, L., Levene, M. Procedural pain guidelines for the newborn in the United Kingdom. J Perinatol 28, 107–111 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211822

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