Assessing pain in neonates is challenging due to their inability to communicate verbally. Clinicians use a combination of physiological and behavioral indicators to assess pain. Commonly used pain assessment tools include:
- Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS): Evaluates facial expressions, cry, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and arousal. - Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP): Considers gestational age, behavioral state, and physiological parameters like heart rate and oxygen saturation. - CRIES Scale: Focuses on Crying, Requires oxygen for saturation above 95%, Increased vital signs, Expression, and Sleeplessness.
