Development and initial validation of the EDIN scale, a new tool for assessing prolonged pain in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a scale suitable for use in clinical practice as a tool for assessing prolonged pain in premature infants. METHODS: Pain indicators identified by observation of preterm infants and selected by a panel of experts were used to develop the EDIN scale (Echelle Douleur Inconfort Nouveau-Né, neonatal pain and discomfort scale). A cohort of preterm infants was studied prospectively to determine construct validity, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency of the scale. RESULTS: The EDIN scale uses five behavioural indicators of prolonged pain: facial activity, body movements, quality of sleep, quality of contact with nurses, and consolability. The validation study included 76 preterm infants with a mean gestational age of 31.5 weeks. Inter-rater reliability was acceptable, with a kappa coefficient range of 0.59-0.74. Internal consistency was high: Cronbach's alpha coefficients calculated after deleting each item ranged from 0.86 to 0.94. To establish construct validity, EDIN scores in two extreme situations (pain and no pain) were compared, and a significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The validation data suggest that the EDIN is appropriate for assessing prolonged pain in preterm infants. Further studies are warranted to obtain further evidence of construct validity by comparing scores in less extreme situations.

Relative effectiveness of lignocaine-prilocaine emulsion and nitrous oxide inhalation for routine preoperative laboratory testing.

We studied the impact of age-related factors and the benefits of 50% nitrous oxide or EMLA cream in 108 children undergoing preoperative laboratory testing. Procedural pain was assessed by behavioural scores (CHEOPS) and pain intensity ratings. Age, preexisting behavioural distress and difficulty of venous access were significant predictors of outcome in univariate analysis. Nitrous oxide and EMLA cream were both effective in lowering pain related behaviour and pain ratings generated by the different adult observers and the children where applicable. EMLA cream was more effective than 50% nitrous oxide in children 1-4 years old. Although EMLA cream was responsible for a 28+/-5 min prolongation of waiting time at the clinic, the present results suggest that it should remain the first line intervention to alleviate pain from venepuncture in paediatric outpatients.