EDIN Scale Implemented by Gestational Age for Pain Assessment in Preterms: A Prospective Study

Abstract EN

Background.

Chronic neonatal pain can lead to long-term adverse effects on the immature brain.

EDIN scale for prolonged pain might not be fully suitable for premature infants.

We aimed to test a modified EDIN scale, adding postmenstrual age (PMA) as a sixth item (EDIN6).

Methods.

In a two-phase prospective study, pain was assessed in all neonates admitted in our NICU.

In T1 EDIN was applied; in T2 EDIN6 with additional scores of 2, 1, and 0, respectively, for 25–32, 33–37, and >37 weeks PCA was tested.

Scores > 6 suggested pain.

The nursing staff was given a questionnaire to evaluate EDIN and EDIN6.

Results.

A total of 15960 pain assessments were recorded (8693 in T1; 7267 in T2).

With EDIN6, cumulative detection of pain almost tripled (117/7267 versus 52/8693, p=0.001).

Main differences were found among less mature categories (50/1472 versus 17/1734, p=0.001 in PCA 25–32; 26/2606 versus 10/4335, p=0.001 in PMA 33–37; 41/3189 versus 25/2624, p=0.26 in PMA > 37).

Adequacy of pain assessment in lower PMA was judged “medium-high” in 13,4% of nurses in T1 and 71,4% in T2.

Conclusions.

EDIN6 may allow improved evaluation of pain in preterm infants.