A2 ACUTE LIVER FAILURE (ALF) DUE TO COXSACKIE VIRUS INFECTION IN NEWBORNS: CASE SERIES

Abstract

Objective: Preterm infants often require mechanical ventilation (MV) and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, the use of MV, and other external stimuli can cause them pain. Pain in preterm infants may lead to developmental changes. Few non-invasive and nonpharmacological techniques are used in the NICU to avoid it. Therefore, the aim of this study is to demonstrate that aquatic therapy, a technique developed by our team can be an extremely effective tool to provide comfort and immediate relief of pain in preterm infants receiving MV. Methods: Nine preterm infants who were undergoing MV and had pain were submitted to this technique, which consisted of a hot bath tub with high temperature (36–36.5°C) followed by therapeutic exercises done by a physical therapist for 10 minutes. The babies were monitored during the whole procedure. Demographic data, vital signs, mechanical ventilation parameters and scales of pain NFCS and NIPS were collected at three time points: before, after 15 and after 60 minutes of therapy. Results: There were no complications related to the procedure performed, nor there was any change in body temperature. Other signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate and mean arterial pressure decreased to normal values after therapy. All babies showed a statistically significant reduction (p ≤0.01) in pain scores taken Before/After 15 and after 60 min (NIPS: 5.67/0/0, NFCS:5.34/0/0).