Effectiveness of NIPE Index for Pain Management in Young Children
Background
Assessing pain in infants is difficult because they cannot express themselves verbally. Current methods rely on observing behavior, which can lead to inconsistent pain assessments. The Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation (NIPE) index uses heart rate variability for a more objective pain assessment in children under 2 years. However, there is limited research on its effectiveness during surgery.
Objective
This study aimed to compare NIPE-guided fentanyl administration with traditional methods based on heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) for managing pain in children under 2 years during surgery.
Methods
Seventy children undergoing specific surgeries were divided into two groups: Group N (NIPE) and Group C (Control), with 35 children in each. Both groups received the same anesthesia and monitoring. Group N received fentanyl when NIPE scores dropped below 50, while Group C received fentanyl when there was a 20% increase in heart rate or MAP. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the FLACC scale, along with fentanyl usage, sedation levels, and side effects.
Results
Both groups showed similar results in postoperative pain scores, fentanyl usage, sedation levels, and side effects. NIPE scores, heart rate, and MAP were also comparable between the groups. Strong correlations were found between NIPE scores and both heart rate and MAP in both groups.
Conclusion
NIPE-guided fentanyl administration did not outperform heart rate/MAP-guided methods, as both achieved similar pain management results. However, NIPE may be more practical and precise, providing an objective tool with a clear threshold. These findings suggest that NIPE could be a valuable tool for managing pain in young children during surgery. Further research with larger studies is needed to confirm its effectiveness across various procedures.
Clinical Implications
Clinical trials are essential for developing safe and effective treatments. It is crucial to integrate these findings into everyday medical practice. Our AI-driven platform, DocSym, consolidates clinical standards and research into an accessible resource for healthcare providers.
Streamlining Healthcare
In today’s healthcare landscape, efficiency is vital. Our mobile apps assist with scheduling, treatment monitoring, and telemedicine, simplifying patient care management and expanding digital services.
Enhancing Patient Outcomes
By utilizing AI, clinics can improve workflows, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce reliance on paper processes. Discover how we can assist you at aidevmd.com.
