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Can newborns feel pain? Uncover the mystery of this medical controversy!
Whether newborns can feel pain has always been a focus of debate in the medical community. This topic has existed for a long time, and with the deepening of research, the understanding of newborn pain perception is also constantly changing. Looking back at history, before the end of the 19th century, medical experts generally believed that babies were more susceptible to pain than adults. However, it was not until the last quarter of the 20th century that advances in science and technology allowed us to establish that newborns do experience pain, perhaps even more intensely than adults.
Research suggests that pain experiences in early childhood may have lasting effects on future emotional and social development.
Effects on neonatal pain
Untreated pain has multiple effects on newborns. First, when pain occurs, the newborn's metabolic and physiological state will change, such as increased oxygen demand, coupled with reduced lung gas exchange efficiency, which may eventually lead to hypoxia. In addition, the stress response triggered by pain can increase stomach acid and risk dangerous aspiration into the lungs, which is particularly important for the health of newborns. Research shows that newborns who experience repeated pain after birth may have more challenges handling emotions and social interactions later in life.
Basic understanding of neurophysiology
The understanding of neonatal pain mainly comes from the understanding of the development of its nervous system. At birth, babies already have nerve pathways capable of transmitting pain signals, but these nerves are not fully developed, causing their pain responses to differ from those of adults. Research shows that newborns have a lower perception threshold for stimulation and tend to respond more strongly to invasive stimulation. In addition, babies' nervous systems show higher sensitivity in pain transmission, which explains why when newborns experience pain, the required soothing measures often need to be more timely and effective.
Scientific research shows that effective treatment of newborn pain can not only immediately improve their pain, but also reduce their potential risk of future psychophysiological problems.
Diagnosis and assessment of pain
Because newborns cannot verbalize their pain, doctors and caregivers must rely on observing reactions to make a diagnosis. Screaming, restlessness, erratic sleep, and fearful reactions to caregivers are common signs of pain. In addition, for the quantification of pain responses, the medical community has developed a variety of observational assessment tools, such as the Infant Postoperative Pain Scale (ChIPPS), which combine physiological indicators with behavioral observations to provide a comprehensive pain assessment.
Therapies for neonatal pain
The treatment of neonatal pain can be divided into non-drug methods and drug treatment. Non-pharmacological methods include traditional soothing methods such as soothing touch, warmth, and listening to music. These methods have persisted in cultures both ancient and modern, and have proven effective in reducing pain in medical settings.
The role of oral stimulation
Research has found that breastfeeding, using pacifiers, and giving sugary water can reduce pain in newborns. These methods are used as an adjunct to pain relief during some safe medical procedures.
Drug intervention
In some cases, medication may also be necessary. Common medications include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioids. Doctors need to consider the immature nervous system and metabolic characteristics of newborns when prescribing, and the use of precise doses becomes particularly important.
Historical background
Looking back at history, the medical community in the sixteenth century tended to believe that babies' nervous systems were immature and their perception of pain was greatly underestimated. In the mid-to-late 20th century, following reports of a series of infant surgeries, the medical community began to realize that newborns actually needed more pain management.
The medical community’s changing understanding of neonatal pain perception represents a major step forward in the industry’s consideration of patient well-being.
Facing the pain problem of newborns, how should we more effectively combine modern medicine and humanized care to provide these little lives with the most appropriate care and soothing methods?
