Pain and vital signs in newborns subjected to the Minimum Handling protocol in a Neonate Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The objective of this study was evaluating the pain of newborns during a minimum handling protocol. Seven newborns from both genders participated in the study, all of whom were hospitalized in a Neonate Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and had an age from 3 to 27 days. There was a single observational evaluation carried out during the handling procedures at 8 a.m. The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) was filled in and the vital signs were collected, including heart and respiratory rates (HR and RR) and partial oxygen saturation (PaO2) presented in the monitor connected to the newborn. Data observed indicated signs of pain, with a statistical difference in the NIPS variables “facial expression” (Z=2.271, p=0.023), “movements in the extremities” (Z= 2.00, p=0.046), “state of arousal” (Z=2.236, p=0.025) and total score (Z=2.236, p=0.025), during their handling. Regarding their vital signs, there was a significant increase in heart rate (Z= 2.366 e p=0.018) during the intervention. The results allow one to infer that even with the minimum handling protocol there is pain, and it is important to be careful during procedures involving the newborn.