Maternal Practices for Managing Infants' Pain at Home in Brazil.

Abstract

Background: Pain in infants is a frequent phenomenon, mainly experienced at home, highlighting the need to examine family practices used to assess and relieve this symptom.

Objective: To evaluate the practices of mothers regarding the assessment, intervention, and reassessment of pain in infants at home, as well as the associated factors.

Method: A prospective cross-sectional study conducted online with 385 mothers of Brazilian infants in their first year of life who had previously experienced their infant's pain at home. Data collection occurred between March and July 2024 using a snowball sampling strategy. Mothers completed an online questionnaire including maternal and infants' characteristics, pain characteristics, and practices related to pain assessment, intervention, and reassessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Mothers reported using, on average, three parameters to assess their infant's pain, with crying being the most prevalent indicator. An average of six nonpharmacological interventions were used, with holding the infant, breastfeeding, and massage being the most common. Pharmacological interventions were also prevalent, particularly paracetamol, and most medications were prescribed by health professionals. Pain reassessment was frequent, although it commonly occurred within 15 minutes. Pain assessment was associated with maternal age, maternal education, seeking health services, and region of Brazil. Nonpharmacological interventions were associated with maternal age, maternal education, and infant age. Pharmacological interventions were associated with infant age and pain frequency.

Conclusion: Maternal practices for pain management in infants at home involve multiple assessment parameters and interventions, influenced by maternal and infant characteristics.