Updated trends in neonatal pain measurement scales in Colombia

Abstract

Neonates have a sense of pain, at birth they undergo changes from when they are in
a protected environment inside the uterus to when they are exposed to the external
environment. Because their nervous system is immature, they are more susceptible
to stimuli that produce pain and stress. Recognizing the pain of a newborn allows our
attention to be given in a comprehensive manner, in addition, it allows that by properly
identifying and treating the pain, adverse changes in the newborn are avoided, such
as alterations in their response to stress and neurodevelopment (1). Discoveries about
neonatal pain and its clinical manifestations have been developed, so far it has been
determined that the pain response of a newborn is based on communication signs such
as facial grimaces, crying, restlessness, hormonal and metabolic changes. that have
an influence on some organs such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen
saturation (2). Central nervous system studies such as magnetic resonance imaging,
electroencephalogram, near-infrared spectroscopy, among others, have shown that the
sensory and affective components of pain are active in neonates and that this experience
of pain is similar to that of adults (3) . In order to improve our care in clinical practice,
this article is carried out, which compiles updated information to describe some existing
tools on neonatal pain measurement, through a systematic review of the literature in
different databases such as Science direct, PubMed, Google Academic, UpToDate,
Clinical Key, Scielo, among others, as well as to identify the preferences of pediatricians
when choosing a tool to measure neonatal pain.