Correspondence between knowledge and practices in neonatal pain among Brazilian pediatricians: survey study

Pedro Henrique Teixeira Bottaro; Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho Valete

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.202678-en

Original Article

Correspondence between knowledge and practices in neonatal pain among Brazilian pediatricians: survey study

Correspondência entre conhecimento e práticas em dor neonatal em pediatras brasileiros: estudo tipo survey

Pedro Henrique Teixeira Bottaro; Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho Valete

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.202678-en BrJP, vol.9, e202678, 2026

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Abstract

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor neonatal é uma experiência complexa com impactos a curto e longo prazo. Considerando que o conhecimento técnico influencia a conduta clínica, este estudo investigou a relação entre o nível de conhecimento e as práticas de pediatras brasileiros em relação à dor no recém-nascido.

MÉTODOS: Uma pesquisa online foi realizada com pediatras filiados à Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. O questionário incluiu as percepções sobre a existência da dor, métodos de avaliação e intervenções farmacológicas e não farmacológicas. A análise incluiu estatística descritiva, teste de Mann-Whitney, correlação de Spearman e Análise de Correspondência Múltipla (ACM), com nível de significância p<0,05.

RESULTADOS: Para os 144 pediatras analisados, a mediana do conhecimento foi significativamente superior à das práticas (49,0 vs. 40,5; p<0,001). O alfa de Cronbach foi 0,77. A menor pontuação em conhecimento referiu-se à avaliação da dor sem escalas. Observou-se correlação moderada entre a percepção de autossuficiência técnica e a prática de avaliar a dor (r = 0,58). A ACM demonstrou que pediatras que se consideram capacitados tendem a avaliar a dor, prescrever analgésicos (opioides e não opioides) e indicar solução adocicada. Métodos como posição canguru e amamentação não mostraram correlações expressivas.

CONCLUSÃO: Existe uma lacuna entre o saber e o fazer, evidenciando dificuldades na translação do conhecimento. A percepção de domínio do tema está associada a melhores práticas avaliativas e farmacológicas. Ressalta-se a necessidade de reforçar o treinamento em métodos não farmacológicos para otimizar o cuidado neonatal.

Keywords

Cross-sectional studies; Newborn; Pain management; Pediatrics

Resumo

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neonatal pain is a complex experience with short- and long-term impacts. Considering that technical knowledge influences clinical conduct, this study investigated the relationship between the level of knowledge and the practices of Brazilian pediatricians regarding pain in newborns.

METHODS: An online survey was conducted with pediatricians affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics. The questionnaire included perceptions about the existence of pain, assessment methods, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Among the 144 pediatricians analyzed, the median knowledge score was significantly higher than the median practice score (49.0 vs. 40.5; p < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha was 0.77. The lowest knowledge score was related to pain assessment without scales. A moderate correlation was observed between the perception of technical self-sufficiency and the practice of assessing pain (r = 0.58). The MCA demonstrated that pediatricians who consider themselves competent tend to assess pain, prescribe analgesics (opioids and non-opioids), and recommend sweetened solutions. Methods such as kangaroo care and breastfeeding did not show significant correlations.

CONCLUSION: There is a gap between knowing and doing, highlighting difficulties in knowledge translation. The perception of mastery of the subject is associated with better evaluative and pharmacological practices. The need to reinforce training in non-pharmacological methods to optimize neonatal care is emphasized.

Palavras-chave

Estudos transversais; Manejo da dor; Pediatria; Recém-nascido

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Submitted date:
08/03/2025

Accepted date:
04/24/2026

Correspondence between knowledge and practices in neonatal pain among Brazilian pediatricians: survey study

Correspondência entre conhecimento e práticas em dor neonatal em pediatras brasileiros: estudo tipo survey

Pedro Henrique Teixeira Bottaro; Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho Valete

Abstract

Keywords

Resumo

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