[Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain-therapy in neonatology: synopsis of the current data].

BACKGROUND

There is increasing knowledge about the negative consequences of early pain experiences on the acute and long-term outcome of preterm and term neonates. Despite of it, pain is common in neonatal intensive care. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods of pain therapy with variable analgesic efficacy exist.

METHOD

The aim of this article is to give a compendium of the actual strategies of pain therapies for invasive procedures, endotracheal suctioning, eye-examination and for mechanical ventilation of preterm and term neonates. An evaluation of benefits and drawbacks of the single pain alleviating measures will be done.