Abstract
Background: pain management and assessment is one of the most important therapeutic goals for neonates. This study aimed to determine the frequency and effectiveness of pain relief methods in neonates admitted to the intensive care units of educational-therapeutic centers in Ardebil.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 150 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of educational-therapeutic centers in Ardebil using convenience sampling. The frequency of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief methods used for each neonate during 7 days of hospitalization was recorded using a study checklist. Pain scores before and after each pain relief method were calculated for various procedures using the NPASS tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software.
Findings: Non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies used in infants were swaddling (75.33%), sucrose (27.33%), breastfeeding (31.33%), pacifier (23.33%), midazolam and acetaminophen drops (0.66%). Swaddling was the most common method of relief in various procedures. Midazolam had the highest frequency in tracheal suction, intubation and chest tube procedures. The use of midazolam significantly (p<0.05) reduced pain.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that neonates in the NICU experience multiple painful procedures, pain management strategies are used to a limited extent, and the use of effective pain relief methods in neonatal intensive care units requires revision.

Keywords: Pain, Infant, Pain Relief, Intensive Care units