Biomedical Research

DOI: 10.35841/biomedicalresearch.30-19-128

Abstract

It is known that control of procedural pain in newborns is an ethical act and requires treatment. It includes homeopathic agents used in certain clinical conditions in neonatology. The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the effect of administration of the preparation of Arnica D30 to reduce the severity of procedural pain induced by pricking the heel of the newborn in neonatal screening. Performed in a clinical study of 124 full-term infants aged 72-84 hours divided into two groups: the first group (A) n=67 infants, that do not apply anesthesia and a second group (B) n=57 infants receiving Arnica D30 in the form of an oral solution three times on the day of the procedure and a time in the range 12-24 hours after the procedure. The results are reported in: 30th sec. and the 5th minute after the puncture of the heel. The same indices were followed in the interval 12-24 hours after the screening. The 30th second after the penetration in the heel in Group A and Group B children did not reveal any credible differences on any of the scale indicators as well as the overall assessment of the severity of procedural pain. Comparison between the two groups of the 5th minute after the procedure found lower estimates in group ? (with analgesia). These differences between the groups are also valid for the overall score, which showed lower levels for those who have received an Arnica. The use of Arnica D30 affects the severity of procedural pain in neonates.

Keywords

Newborn, Procedural pain, Nonpharmacological methods of treatment, Homeopathy

Introduction

Pain in newborns is complex, individual, subjective, and universal [1]. Research on its markers, assessment and treatment has соntinued more than 30 years. It is known that in their postnatal development, newborns are often subjected to acute, recurrent and prolonged pain stimuluses that are part of routine care for them [2]. Pain control in the neonatal period has been shown to be beneficial in improving physiological, behavioral and hormonal responses [3]. Тhe increased incidence of painful procedures hides the risk of potential negative consequences in later child development [4]. Independently of the accumulated knowledge in this regards, the management of procedural pain is not yet optimal [5]. Clinical practice uses pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods to control it. In the previous decade, studies focused on the risks of not treating pain and, on the other hand, using more aggressive pharmacological analgesic methods. This requires an in-depth study of the effects of nonpharmacological approaches to controlling and reducing procedural pain [6]. These methods are discussed in the NIDCAP (Neonatal Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program), which focuses on reducing stress and pain stimulus during routine procedures in newborns [7].

Purpose

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate the effect of the use of the preparation of Arnica D30 to reduce the severity of the procedural pain caused by the heel lance of the newborn in neonatal screening.

Material and Methods

Clinical study of 124 term infants aged 72-84 hours divided into two groups was performed: first group (A) n=67 neonates without analgesia and second group (B) n=57 subjects receiving Arnica D30 under the form of a solution. The average gestational age (g.a.) and mean body weight of newborns of group A are: 38.90 ± 0.05 grams and 3243.28 ± 48.40 grams, and those of group B-38.98 ± 0.06 grams and 3248.33 ± 56.7 grams. The two groups did not differ among themselves in terms of g.a. and body weight at birth. Of the total number of patients 50 (40.3%) were born by the normal birth mechanism, 69 (55.6%) by cesarean section, 4 (3.2%) with vacuum extractor and 1 (0.80%) with forceps. All children have normal postnatal adaptation, with no postnatal asphyxia data-Apgar score 1 min: 8-10 and 5 min: 9-10. The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) is used to assess the severity of procedural pain induced by a heel-stick. Through video surveillance before, during, and after the procedure, the indicators were rated 1 or 0 (only 0.1 or 2 weeping tag) depending on the presence or absence of the feature. Additionally, heart rate and transcutaneous saturation (tSpO₂) were monitored using a Biocare iM/2014 monitor. The results were read out at: 30^th sec and at the 5th minute after the heelstick with tracking and within 12-24 hours after the screening. The Arnica D30 infants from Group B for analgesia were given the following schedule: 3 × 3 pills on the day of screening, 1 × 3 pills between 12 and 24 hours per os, as an individual solution with sterile water for a total of 3 ml/1 ml on reception. The first is 2 hours before the screening, the second is immediately after it and the rest is 2 hours and 12-24 hours after the procedure.

The obtained results were statistically processed by a descriptive analysis, Chi-squared test (X2 analysis), Mann- Whitney (U-test) at significance of p <0.05 and presented graphically in tables and figures.

Results

At the 30^th second after the puncture of the heel, between group A and group B no credible differences in any of the scale indicators, as well as in the overall assessment of the severity of procedural pain.

The comparison of all indicators between the two groups in the 5^th minute after the procedure found lower values in group B (with analgesia). The differences are statistically reliable only with respect to the following indicators: facial expression (p=0.002), hand movement (p=0.006) and foot movement (p=0.010). These differences between the groups are also valid for the overall score, which showed lower levels in the Arnicatreated patients (p=0.025) (Table 1)

Table 1. Evaluate with NIPS at 5 minutes.

The dynamics of the heart rate (HR) is shown in Figure 1. Comparison between the groups at 30 sec and 5 minutes did not find any credible differences. At the 5^th minute, a faster reduction of this physiological pain marker to baseline (pretreatment) was found in the analgesic group (B) compared to the control (A). Traceability in the 12-24 hours interval showed lower variations in the received Arnica.

Figure 1: Dynamics of heart rate.

The measurement of oxygen saturation recorded a better recovery at the 5^th minutes in the group receiving Arnica (B). The statistical significance of the differences in the observed lowest oxygen saturation values in both groups (p=0.002) (77.39% for 83.3% respectively for the children in the control group and those receiving the analgesia) was established (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Comparative assessment of oxygen saturation.

Discussion

In 1987, Anand and Hickey [4] showed that the nociceptive system was functionally developed in both full-term newborn babies and premature babies. According to studies conducted in relation to analgesia of patients of different ages in given manipulations Anand [4] proves that newborns have increased pain sensitivity compared to other age groups. It has been agreed that their pain manifestations should be monitored by tracking the changes in the pain-behavioral, physiological, hormonal markers on the basis of which the assessment scales are built [8,9].

Progression in neonatal research has shown that newborns suffer pain and that their control has short- and long-term benefits. Varying degrees of neonatal discomfort or pain may occur during routine patient care (e.g., gavage tube placement, bladder catheterization, or physical examination), moderately invasive procedures (e.g., suctioning, phlebotomy, lumbar puncture, heel-stick or peripheral intravenous access), or more invasive procedures (e.g., chest tube placement, circumcision, ophthalmoscopy or central venous access) [8]. This contrasts strongly with the secure and relaxed environment in the womb and coincides with the delicate and critical phase of rapid brain development and stress system programming. Under the impact of frequent and recurrent intensive illness stimuli, the newborn pain system can easily to modify in the wrong way. In healthy infants, studies suggest a change in the threshold of nociception due to pain effects [10], which may lead to secondary effects such as hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Timely and correct assessment of pain is a condition for its management. Various scales are used for this purpose in neonatal practice. One of the established with international consensus is the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). This scale is used for monitoring before and after painful procedures (puncture of heel, etc.) in full-term and premature neonates. It includes a physiological and five behavioral criteria: (1) Face expression; (2) Crying; (3) Breathing patterns; (4) Movement of the hands; (5) Movement of the leg; (6) State of arousal [1]. Pain management of the newborn is a necessity and leads to the elimination or improvement of the markers for it [8].

It is well known that the motor response to healthy term newborn babies in pain after heel-lance is flexion and adduction of the upper and lower limbs associated with grimacing, crying or both. These events are quantifiable. According to Taksande et al. [11], markers such as the brow bulge and the nasolabial furrow appear more often than the crying. This result coincides with our studies where changes in grimacity are observed in most newborns. The pain cry has specific behavioral characteristics and spectrographic properties in healthy full-term neonates. In response to the heel lance, 97% of follow-up babies showed an increase in behavioral changes [12]. This is confirmed in our results where NIPS scores are higher in the non-analgesic group.

Heart rate and its variability are the most commonly used physiological marker for pain [13]. The magnitude of the changes is related to the intensity and duration of the stimulus and the individual temperament of the infant [14]. South et al. [15] did not show a change in heart rate while Catelin et al. [6] found its reduction in response to pain. Ludington et al [16] and Oberlander et al. [17] detect heart rate increases in nociceptive stimulus. According to Anand, heart rate is increasing following procedures such as: circumcision or puncture of the heel in full-term newborns [14]. Taksande et al. [11] reported the same changes after venipuncture. In the present study, our results coincide with those of Anand and Taksande [2,11] because the heart rate was significantly increased in both groups despite the lack of statistically reliable results.

Physiological markers such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure and respiratory rate have no sensitivity and specificity and cannot be used on their own [13]. According to a study by Pereira et al. [18], oxygen saturation shows a longer reduction after the painful procedure compared to heart rate. Singh et al. [14] and Anand [3] consider that desaturation is a response to painful irritants. The results of this study coincide with those of the abovementioned authors. Hypoxia has been shown to occur even during a routine care procedure. According to Taksande [11], oxygen saturation values can be considered a valid assessment tool about the pain of the newborn. It is possible this stress during the neonatal period to be the reason for subsequent health and psychic complications [19,20].

For the reduction of the pain and its effects on newborns, different non-pharmacological techniques are applied before and during the procedure: flexion position of the limbs, swinging, massage, oral administration of a sweet solution, music therapy, "Kangaroo" care, non-nutritive sucking, contact with mother/speech, caress/homeopathic remedies.

The choice of Arnika Montana is based on its composition and its effects-lactone content (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiocclusive effect), phenols (antibacterial action), flavonoids (venous tropism) in the search for additional possibilities for no pharmacologic response to procedural pain in the newborn. is preferred as a non-pharmacological alternative due to the proven in clinical neonatological and pediatric practice in the treatment of traumas with hematomas, open wounds, fractures, headache and other conditions accompanied by varying degrees of pain. [21,22]. In addition, Arnica, administered orally in homeopathic dilutions, showed positive clinical effects in the suppression of post-operative pain, edema and ecchymosis. Local administration of Arnica combined with oral administration has a synergistic effect, reducing postoperative pain. In vitro studies show that the most active components of Arnica, as well as other preparations of the Asteraceae family are helenaline and sesquiterpene lactones-11α, 13-dihydrohelenalin and chamissonolid [23]. One of the earliest evidence of the anti-inflammatory properties of Arnica is reported by Lyss et al. [24]. They find that helenaline inhibits the kappa B (NF-κB) transcriptional nuclear factor by altering and stabilizing the NF-kB/kappa B inhibitor (IkappaB) complex in T cells, B cells and epithelial cells and removes kappa gene expression. The quantitative and qualitative content of the sesquiterpene lactones such lactones correlates with the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1b and TNF- α. In addition, treatment with Arnica shows 4.5-fold inhibition of nitric oxide production, a reduction in the levels of inducible cyclooxygenase [23], and reduction of oxidative stress [11].

Puncture of heel is considered the third pain intensity procedure in intensive units [25] and represents 79.2% of all painful manipulations performed without analgesia [26]. According to the results of this study, the use of Arnica to reduce the severity of procedural pain has a greater impact on behavioral pain markers. This is probably due to their higher sensitivity and lability than the HR and oxygen saturation values. The variance of these indicators gives us a better point of pain [13], which is also evident from our research. We assume that Arnica's lesser influence on vital signs may also be due to the schedule of administration of an analgesic agent whose last intake coincides with the follow-up period of 12-24 hours. Perhaps the weight of the pain stimulus, associated with the particular procedure, also plays an additional role.

In our available literature, we have not found any studies related to the use of homeopathic remedies to control neonatal pain, which limits our ability to compare our results.

Additional studies are needed that can reveal the potential of homeopathic remedies as a non-pharmacological method for reducing procedural pain in the neonatal period.

Conclusion

1. Arnica D30 administration reduces the severity of procedural pain distinctly at the 5^th minute after the puncture of the heel.

2. Arnica pain management does not affect the changes in the parameters: heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation immediately after the heel prick of the newborn, but it leads to their normalization at the 5^th minute and within the period of 12-24 hours.

3. This study complements the spectrum of nonpharmacological methods used in the neonatal period to control procedural pain.

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