Articles Vol. 67 No. CĐ2-NCKH 05/03/2026

ASSESSMENT OF PROCEDURAL PAIN INTENSITY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN NEONATES AT THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, BACH MAI HOSPITAL

Le Thu Hoai1,2, Ha Thi Kim Loan1,2, Nguyen Thi Huong Thao1,2, Cao Thi Hop1,2, Nguyen Thi Huong1,2
1 Pediatrics Center, Bach Mai Hospital
2 Trung tâm Nhi khoa, Bệnh viện Bạch Mai
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD2.4408
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Keywords
Neonatal pain, NIPS score, invasive procedures, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bach Mai Hospital.
Abstract

Objectives: To assess pain intensity using the NIPS and identify related factors during procedures in newborns at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics Center, Bach Mai Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 100 newborns undergoing invasive procedures without prior analgesia/sedation (4-6 hours) from October 2024 to October 2025. Pain was assessed using the NIPS score.

Results: Preterm infants accounted for 76%, and males accounted for 68% of the study population. Arterial blood sampling was the most common procedure (65%), followed by peripheral venous catheter insertion (22%). 73% of infants experienced acute/severe pain (NIPS > 4). Arterial blood sampling caused the most severe pain (83.1%); Peripheral intravenous cannulation (80,6%); whereas 100% of intramuscular injections caused only mild to moderate pain. Physiologically, the heart rate increased by an average of 19 bpm, and SpO2 decreased by 3.7% during procedures; these changes were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant correlation was found between pain intensity and gender, gestational age, or birth weight (p > 0.05)

Conclusion: These findings underscore the urgent need for implementing interventional pain management strategies (pharmacological or non-pharmacological) for routine invasive procedures in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

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