AAP policies regarding pain in the neonate

[Nandi]

This is pretty interesting because it is coming from the AAP itself.
Here is the link http://aappolicy.aappublications.org...rics;105/2/454

Here are a few bullet points for the article, which discusses among other things healthcare provider's attitudes towards infant pain.
Neuroanatomical components and neuroendocrine systems are sufficiently developed to allow transmission of painful stimuli in the neonate.28-32
Exposure to prolonged or severe pain may increase neonatal morbidity.33-36
Infants who have experienced pain during the neonatal period respond differently to subsequent painful events.37-41
Severity of pain and effects of analgesia can be assessed in the neonate.20-2442-46
Neonates are not easily comforted when analgesia is needed.8
A lack of behavioral responses (including crying and movement) does not necessarily indicate a lack of pain.47

"Studies indicate a lack of awareness among health care professionals of pain perception, assessment, and management in neonates.9-11 When analgesics were used in infants, they often were administered based only on the perceptions of health care professionals or family members."

[Treece]

They also say that pain relief should be used during circ and we see how far that goes. I doubt doctors will ever chnge here in the great U$A. $ad. They are greedy. (not all, some, most maybe)

[perspective]

Well we can debate if American doctors continue circ for money, but I dont think this directly relates that. They could make money off a baby no matter if the baby is feeling pain or not.


The problem here is we have doctors, who are also humans. These men and women spend years becoming doctors, and when they do get that Dr. in front of their name they become professionals, the ones most knowledgeable. This makes them lazy and makes them get set in their ways.
They think:
"How dare you tell me about my field, I am the one who spent years studying, not you!"

They often don't change because they feel they don't need to, which is the biggest mistake any doctor can make.

[leila1213]

There was an excellent article in a Parents magazine that I haven't been able to find online. It featured the pre-eminent dude on neonatal pain research and mentioned circ several times. Similar to some of what I had already seen of his online, but nice to see in a mainstream mag.

[Nandi]

I find the increase in mortality rate in response to pain particularly frightening and sad. The irreversible brain changes and stronger reaction to pain, are very significant as well. It's like a lot of things, who knows how this early trauma is affecting babies and their development. Some adapt to the trauma, and for others it may exacerbate existing problems.

[Treece]

Originally Posted by perspective

Well we can debate if American doctors continue circ for money, but I dont think this directly relates that. They could make money off a baby no matter if the baby is feeling pain or not.

I was thinking about this. They would have to buy the pain relief and can't charge more. So, yeah using pain relief would decrease the amount of money left over for their pockets. I honestly think that whoever came up with the crazy idea that newborns feel no pain really should have been laid down and have open heart surgery sans pain relief.