Consequences of Pain in Infants

Immediate effects
  • Fear
  • Irritability
  • Disturbance of sleep and wakefulness state
  • Increased oxygen consumption
  • Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
  • Diminished nutrient intake
  • Increased gastric acidity
Short term effects
  • Impaired emotional bonding
  • Altered immunological function
  • Delayed healing
  • Enhanced catabolism
Long term effects
  • Alteration in response to subsequent painful experience
  • Developmental retardation
  • Memory of pain

(Modified from Mathew and Mathew, 2003)[31].