The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that newborns feel pain and discomfort and may experience emotional distress, especially when separated from their families in the first hours of life. Pain management and comfort care are WHO standards of care. (Standards in below, in "source")
Pain in newborns affects neurodevelopment, with potential short- and long-term effects.
The Pan American Health Organization's Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Follow-up of Newborns at Risk recommend that the frequency of check-ups be, according to each aspect to be evaluated, as shown in the following table:
Beyond the age of 2, children at risk should continue to be monitored, at least until they enter school.
To ensure the quality and safety of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening exam, the Pan American Health Organization's Clinical Practice Guidelines emphasize the importance of preparing the infant for fundus examination, including appropriate pain management and comfort during the procedure.
Before the ROP screening exam, to dilate the newborn's pupil, it is recommended:
Every year, about 8 million babies are born worldwide with congenital defects.
March 3 -World Birth Defects Day- raises awareness about the importance of prevention, timely diagnosis, and quality of care services for people with birth defects and their families.
After discharge from neonatal care, specialized follow-up is recommended to maintain the care of at-risk newborns.
Based on their individual risk factors, specialized follow-up of babies helps maintain survival and allows for early detection, therapeutic management, and timely intervention of certain consequences associated with perinatal disorders that are not detected in the early stages.
Every year, an estimated 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely, which amounts to approximately 1.2 million children in the Region of the Americas.
Prematurity, defined as birth before the 37th week of gestation, is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and disability. Newborns face a significantly higher risk of complications — from breathing difficulties, infections, and poor growth to delays in neurological, school, and lifelong development.
Based on the highest level of evidence available, the Pan American Health Organization's Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend that the first ROP screening test be performed according to a schedule that considers gestational age and the time of the first ROP screening. In all cases, newborns at risk of ROP should have at least one ROP screening before being discharged from the neonatal unit.
Based on the best available scientific evidence, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommends the content of information for families before hospital discharge.
Given their social and biological risk factors, premature, small, or sick newborns must meet certain criteria for safe hospital discharge.
When it is not possible to avoid preterm birth, the most beneficial interventions are those that can increase the chances of survival and improve health outcomes for premature infants.
These interventions are provided to mothers shortly before or during delivery to prevent immediate or future health-related problems in the premature newborn, such as lung immaturity, susceptibility to infection, and neurological complications.