This little boy will be subjected to numerous heelsticks to check his blood glucose, bilirubin levels and possibly for a sepsis evaluation.  Without measures to control pain, he will have long term consequences including behavioral (Jong, 2010) and his future responses to pain will be increased (Grunau, 2006).  Future temperament, poor adaptability to changes, easy distractability and an overreaction to touch are some of the long-term consequences noted by research.


There are very effective pain control measures for him, if they are utilized and used correctly.


A 24% sucrose solution (Tootsweet®, Sweetease®) has been determined by numerous research studies to decrease pain perception and response in newborns by stimulating the brain to release endorphins.  This is most effective if given 2 minutes prior to the painful intervention.  What this means, is that the baby will be sucking on a pacifier or finger, which also helps to decrease pain perception, while this solution is squirted into the corner of his mouth.  He may then not even realize that he has sustained a heelstick and that the nurse is obtaining the blood sample.  The same is true for a venipuncture (Gal, 2005).

                                                               

Imagine no crying and thrashing about; the baby is happy, the parents are happy and are often allowed to remain with the baby during the blood testing.

References:

Grunau, R. H. (2006). Long-term consequences of pain in human neonates. Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 11, 268-275.

Harrison, D. L. (2009). Repeated doses of sucrose in infants continue to reduce procedural pain during prolong hospitalizations. Nursing Research, 21(6), 491-498.

Jong, J. (2010). Can temperament be understood at birth? The relationship between neonatal pain cry and their temperament: A preliminary study. Infant Behavior & Development, 33, 266-272.