What impact does hospital treatment in the intensive care unit have on premature newborns? This is the answer that researcher Pierrick Poisbeau wanted to answer with his team. The scientist therefore carried out his research in the neonatology department of Strasbourg-Hautepierre hospital, in order to better understand the mechanisms of pain in infants. It is for this approach that Pierrick Poisbeau was rewarded with the Unity Prize of the Institut de France.
The essential role of parents
Alongside Professor Pierre Kuhn, head of the neonatology department, the researcher was able to validate the essential role that parents play in reducing the trauma of hospital care for these very premature babies. Importance of breastfeeding, skin to skin, but also reduction of aggressive stimuli such as undimmed light or loud sounds. These non-drug actions are very important in the care of these young patients, thus validating an approach already widespread in the countries of northern Europe, notably Sweden, which is a pioneer in terms of care. development centered on the child and his family.
Towards a global treatment of chronic pain
The 15,000 euros prize, however, rewards the beginnings of a research which promises to be much longer. Because if understanding newborn pain is a first step, reducing it is a second. Oxytocin, a hormone often touted as the ‘feel-good’ hormone, may play a long-term role. Its properties could relieve pain and therefore reduce the trauma of spending time in intensive care.
‘Being born prematurely is a trauma (…) The hope of tomorrow would be to use this molecule, or the signaling that it induces, like a sort of biological eraser, to facilitate the work of resilience, the ability to get moving again, despite the adversity of our life‘, specifies Professor Poisbeau.
And for good reason, since he has been studying pain for 25 years, his work with newborns could lead to more refined management of chronic pain in adults. One in four adults would be affected, while treatment still remains difficult. This is due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of chronic pain, because even the most powerful medications are, in some people, ineffective. Beyond his research, Professor Poisbeau therefore advocates the development of integrative medicine: pain must be taken in its entirety, so as to be able to relieve the disease.
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