Expression of pain after physiotherapy care in premature newborns: observational study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapeutic care for preterm infants is routine in neonatal intensive care units and the question of whether the management in extreme and moderate preterm infants causes pain is the guideline of this study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of pain in preterm newborns after physiotherapeutic maneuvers. METHODS: Observational study made in extreme and moderate premature newborns during the first week of life, with clinical need of respiratory physiotherapy. The newborns received maneuvers while positioned in nests made with folded cloths. Immediately after pulmonary unobstruction maneuver and before the suction of airways, pain was measured through the scales Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) e Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) and vital signs were recorded Study approved by the university’s ethics committee under the registration number 706.623. RESULTS: 50 physiotherapeutic appointments were evaluated in 22 newborns in the first week of life. From the data collected, 18 (36%) were in mecanic ventilation, 24 (48%) in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, 6 (12%) in nasal catheter and 2 (4%) without oxygen support. The newborns kept the vital data within normal limits and only two preterm infants had a positive pain score. CONCLUSION: Maneuvers are gentle in order to not cause pain. Either way, it is important to always be alert for signs and offer humanized care to the premature, so that the harmful effects of hospitalization are minimized.