Archer, V. A., Farrokyhar, F., Briatico, D., Braga, L. H., & Walton, J. M. (2023/11//). Intravenous acetaminophen for postoperative pain in the neonatal intensive care unit: A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial (IVA POP). PLoS One, 18(11)https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294519
This peer reviewed article provides data that supports the use of opioids to treat the pain of a neonate. It provides warnings of the long term impacts that the medication may have. This article documents the analysis that can be done on the true impact of a specific pharmacological method when applied to a neonate that can be utilized to evaluate other pharmacological treatments. Opioids can be analgesic but have many adverse effects such as respiratory depression, urinary retention, hypotension and increased tolerance. Opioids can affect the neurodevelopment of this population and it needs to be used in a mindful way where there is a balance between treating pain and the possible long term effects on the neurological system. There needs to be communication between all members of the interdisciplinary team when an opioid is in use as to when this intervention is needed or if there is a better medication that is better suited for the treatment plan that could be implemented to decrease the risk of potential complications later in life.
Joshi, M., Muneer, J., Mbuagbaw, L., & Goswami, I. (2023/12//). Analgesia and Sedation Strategies in Neonates Undergoing Whole-body Therapeutic Hypothermia: A Scoping Review. PLoS One, 18(12) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291170
This peer reviewed article provides consolidated data from 97 studies to identify trends of pharmacological treatments for neonates with HIE. This article provides perspective on the dangers of both providing too much mediation and not enough medication to reduce the pain for an HIE neonate. It includes an organized list of references for treatment including what pharmacological approaches were utilized. This tool is useful for anyone who wanted to do additional research on the impact of a specific drug.
Mantecón-Fernández, L., Lareu-Vidal, S., González-López, C., Solís-Sánchez, G., & Suárez-Rodríguez, M. (2023). Dexmedetomidine: An Alternative to Pain Treatment in Neonatology. Children, 10(3), 454. https://doi-org.library.capella.edu/10.3390/children10030454
This peer reviewed article provides an overview of current pharmacological methods for pain reduction in neonates and attempts to educate on a promising drug for analgesia. It discusses pain management scales and non-pharmacological approaches in addition to the pharmacological focus of the article. The pharmacological approaches discussed include sucrose/glucose, opioids, non-opioids, and loco-regional techniques. It then goes into a new pharmacological treatment of Dexmedetomidine as a safe alternative to current methods. Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist that has broad pharmacological properties. It is similar to clonidine but is anticipated to be safer for clinically ill patients. This is applicable to help educate nurses on an upcoming drug that may be unfamiliar with.
Sansone, L., Gentile, C., Eleonora, A. G., Ludovico, A. D., Bella, S. L., Chiarelli, F., & Breda, L. (2023). Pain Evaluation and Treatment in Children: A Practical Approach. Children, 10(7), 1212. https://doi-org.library.capella.edu/10.3390/children10071212
This peer reviewed article provides the framework for several common practices for pharmacological approaches to acute pain management in pediatrics and neonates. It discusses pain assessments and non-pharmacological analgesic strategies in addition to pharmacological approaches. The article provides an overview of four different types of pharmacological approaches; including acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and nitrous oxide. It also provides the differences between medications within the same category, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen. This is a good overview for nurses to reference the differences between pharmacological methods.