Expert consensus on neonatal pain assessment and analgesia management (2020 edition)

Abstract:

Compared with adults, neonates tend to have stronger and more persistent biological perception of pain. They may have the memory for pain and the negative effects caused by pain may exist for a long time. Therefore, standardized pain management can reduce or prevent the adverse effect of pain on body and mind and promote the rehabilitation process. In order to further deepen the understanding of pain management and standardize the analgesic measures for neonates, the Neonatologist Branch of Chinese Medical Association and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics have developed an expert consensus based on the clinical evidence in China and overseas and with reference to clinical experience from the following aspects:evaluation of neonatal pain and methods and techniques of pain management. It is recommended to adopt a step-by-step analgesic management for neonates. For mild pain stimulation, it is effective to relieve the pain by gentle touch and non-nutritive sucking combined with sucrose feeding. For moderate pain, selection of appropriate trocar needle and skilled puncture are important to reduce the pain, and in addition, the application of local anesthetics at the site of puncture also has a good effect. For severe pain, intravenous sedative drugs are often required, but no consistent evidence has been obtained so far.