Presentation Information
Memories of Pain in the NICU: The Impact on Infants and Parents
- Speaker: Jillian Vinall , PhD
- Presentation Type:
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME
Abstract:
As part of their life-saving care, infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are often exposed to repeated invasive procedures. Previously, parents have identified that witnessing their infant in pain is one of the most stress-inducing experiences in the NICU. This stress may persist well-beyond the NICU, and the memories of their infant in pain may significantly impact their mental health. Neonatal pain-related distress is equally impactful to the infant, as numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between repeated invasive procedures early in life and poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in NICU-born children. Recently, we demonstrated that positive parental interactions can help to mitigate the negative effects of neonatal pain on infant neurodevelopment. However, these positive interactions are undermined by chronic parental stress. Therefore, to best support infants and their parents it is important that infant pain be appropriately managed in the NICU. Parents also need to be involved and supported in the neonatal care of their infant. Altogether, neonatal pain management can lead to changing neonatal and parental trajectories and contribute to the optimization of infant outcomes.
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02-06-2025 08:00
02-06-2025 09:00
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Memories of Pain in the NICU: The Impact on Infants and Parents
As part of their life-saving care, infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are often exposed to repeated invasive procedures. Previously, parents have identified that witnessing their infant in pain is one of the most stress-inducing experiences in the NICU. This stress may persist well-beyond the NICU, and the memories of their infant in pain may significantly impact their mental health. Neonatal pain-related distress is equally impactful to the infant, as numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between repeated invasive procedures early in life and poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in NICU-born children. Recently, we demonstrated that positive parental interactions can help to mitigate the negative effects of neonatal pain on infant neurodevelopment. However, these positive interactions are undermined by chronic parental stress. Therefore, to best support infants and their parents it is important that infant pain be appropriately managed in the NICU. Parents also need to be involved and supported in the neonatal care of their infant. Altogether, neonatal pain management can lead to changing neonatal and parental trajectories and contribute to the optimization of infant outcomes.
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