Efficacy of Heel Warming on Pain Response to Heel Stick in Neonates


 Introduction: Heel prick is one of the commonest procedures carried out in hospitalised newborns. Pain a subjective experience for which neonates, infants and children respond with behavioural reactions. Applying hot pack to skin surface causes proximal blood vessels dilate due raised temperature may decrease pain perception neonates. We intended study effect heel warming during neonates.
 Method: An experimental was conducted among neonates admitted paediatric wards BPKIHS. Total 92 participants undergoing prick/stick were selected by consecutive sampling technique allocated randomly group control group. Warmer applied baby three five minutes provided baby’s warmth 38°C 40°C prior stick only. Newborn’s level assessed both through The Neonatal Infant Scale (NIPS). Mann Whitney test used compare means score between groups.
 Results: mean 1.39 2.20. Experimental showed significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared Application before caused reduction pain.
 Conclusions: findings suggest that heat application effective reducing newborns.