Table 3: Markers Frequently Used to Indicate Pain in the Neonate

Premature Infant Pain Profile Neonatal Facial Coding Scale (NFCS) Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) CRIES Score
Variables assessed Gestational age Behaviour
Heart rate
Oxygen saturation
Brow bulge
Eye squeeze
Nasolabial furrow 		Brow bulge
Eye squeeze
Nasolabial furrow
Open lips
Stretch mouth
Lip purse
Taut tongue
Chin quiver
Tongue protrusion		 Facial expression
Cry
Breathing patterns
Arms
Legs
Arusal condition		 Crying
Requires increased oxygen administration
Increase of vital signs
Expression
Sleeplessness
Reliability Inter- and intrarater reliability >0.93 Inter- and intrarater reliability >0.85 Interrater reliability >0.92 Interrater reliability >0.72
Clinical utility Feasibility and utility established at bedsite Feasibility established at bedsite Not established Nurses preferred CRIES over another scale

(Modified from Anand et al. 2001) [33].