Analgesia and Sedation in the Neonate

Newborns have well-developed pain receptors and experience physiologic responses to painful/ stressful situations. Infants born preterm and sick neonates undergo many painful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are necessary for their improved survival. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) recommend that all facilities that treat newborns establish a neonatal pain control program that includes routine assessment of pain, reduction in the number of painful procedures, and also reduction and prevention of acute pain from invasive procedures. There are many available options including non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to address analgesia and anesthesia in the neonate for each procedure and intervention.