Nonpharmacological Interventions for Preventing Pain During Endotracheal Suctioning in Neonates Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

What are the benefits and harms of nonpharmacological interventions for preventing pain during endotracheal suctioning in neonates receiving mechanical ventilation?

The understanding of neonatal pain continues to advance, and it is now well established that newborns are capable of detecting, processing, and responding to pain. In fact, neonates have an immature nervous system that creates a hypersensitivity to pain, resulting in a greater risk for experiencing pain.¹  Repeated painful experiences in neonates can cause harmful systemic physiological effects, leading to long-term complications and potentially life-threatening risks. However, pain-relief interventions in neonates remain insufficient and inconsistently applied, with some studies showing that only half of the painful procedures in neonates are accompanied by appropriate pain relief.²  These inconsistencies, combined with gaps in knowledge, evidence, and practice, present significant challenges in the effective assessment and management of neonatal pain.¹ 

A considerable proportion of premature neonates require mechanical ventilation at...