Pain and Stress Assessment and ROP Screening

Pain and Stress Assessment and ROP Screening Examination in Premature Infants

The study will measure the effects of eye exams on markers of stress in the urine. In addition, measurements will be taken to show the effects of stress on brain activity, O2 sats, and blood flow.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Premature infants between 24 -32 weeks of gestational age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants scheduled for laser eye surgery on the day of the examination
• Infants with intraventricular hemorrhage ≥ grade 3 (Papile classification) diagnosed by head ultrasound
• Infants receiving the following medications: morphine, fentanyl, methadone, midazolam, lorazepam, muscle relaxants, phenobarbital, phenytoin, levetiracetam
• Renal injury defined with plasma creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL
• Severe cyanotic congenital heart disease
• Unstable respiratory distress (hypoxemia PaO2 < 50 mm Hg or SpO2 < 90%)