Skin conductance as pain indicator in newborns: a comparison study with heart rate, oxygen saturation and pain behavioral scales

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 71; no. 9A; p. 645
• Main Author: Jesus, Jose Alfredo Lacerda de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 01.09.2013; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO)
• Subjects: NEUROSCIENCES; newborn; pain behavioral markers; pain physiological markers; PSYCHIATRY; psychophysical parameters; skin conductance; pain physiological markers; pain behavioral markers; psychophysical parameters; newborn; skin conductance
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20130083

Introduction: Heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (OS) and skin conductance activity (SCA) are physiological markers of acute pain. Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS), Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and modified COMFORT are validated pain behavioral scales. Objective: It was to compare whether the scores of these measures fit the psychophysical parameters for a pain marker (intensity, reactivity, direction, regulation and lope). Method: Observational prospective study including 41 newborns, in which it were compared the maximum HR, the minimum OS, the SCA variables number of waves per second (NWps) and relative area under the curve of waves (AUC), and the scores of behavioral pain scales in the periods before, during and after heel prick. Results: The parameters intensity and regulation were significant for the NWps (p<0.01), AUC (p<0.05), HR (p<0.01), OS (p<0.01), NFCS (p<0.01), NIPS (p<0.01) and modified COMFORT (p<0.01). The reactivity and direction parameters were significant for all variables (all p<0.01), except to AUC (p>0.05). The slope was significant for the minimum OS and NIPS and modified COMFORT scales (p<0.05). Conclusion: The responses of SCA, HR, OS and behavioral pain scales are similarly in acute painful events. They fit the psychophysical parameters of a pain marker and serve as measures for pain diagnostic.