Neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants who have experienced procedural pain in the neonatal intensive care unit: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review will assess the association between painful procedures performed on preterm infants while hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and short-, mid-, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

Preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal unit undergo many painful procedures. The repetition of these painful procedures in a preterm infant with an immature nervous system can have consequences for their neurodevelopment.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Prospective and retrospective observational study designs will be included in this review. Studies of preterm infants (less than 37 weeks of gestation) hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit who have undergone painful procedures, with or without skin breaking, will be considered for inclusion in this review. Our main variable will be neurodevelopment, measured in the short, medium, and long term.

METHODS

A comprehensive database search will be undertaken in CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We will limit the search to articles published in English or French. Study selection, data extraction, and critical appraisal will be conducted by two independent reviewers. If possible, meta-analysis will be performed; otherwise the results will be presented by descriptive synthesis.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42020189762.