3. Responses of infants to pain
(Reference12)
Physiological
changes
Increase in:
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Respiratory rate
• Oxygen
consumption
• Mean airway
pressure
• Muscle tone
• Intracranial
pressure
Behavioural
changes
Change in facial
expression:
• Grimacing
• Screwing up of
eyes
• Nasal flaring
• Deep nasolabial
groove
• Curving of the
tongue
• Quivering of the
chin
Hormonal
changes
Increased release of:
• Cortisol
• Catecholamines
• Glucagon
• Growth
hormone
• Renin
• Aldosterone
• Antidiuretic
hormone
Decreased secretion
of:
• Insulin
Autonomic
changes
• Mydriasis
• Sweating
• Flushing
• Pallor
Body
movements
• Finger clenching
• Thrashing of limbs
• Writhing
• Arching of back
• Head hanging