👶 Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS)
Assess procedural pain in neonates with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale.
Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS)
Facial expression
Cry
Breathing pattern
Arms
Legs
State of arousal
When to use
Detect and trend pain in neonates and young infants.
How it works
Facial expression, cry (0–2), breathing, arms, legs and state of arousal — total 0–7. > 3 indicates pain.
Key points
- Validated behavioural scale for neonates.
- Use comfort measures (swaddling, sucrose, skin-to-skin).
- Reassess after interventions.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.