Oral sweet solution reduces pain-related behaviour in preterm infants.
To evaluate the effectiveness of oral sucrose in the prevention of pain-induced crying in preterm infants, a sample of 28 healthy neonates (15M, 13F; gestational age at procedure less than 37 weeks) who were having routine blood drawn by arm venipuncture was studied. Infants were randomly allocated to receive by mouth, using a syringe, 2 ml of one of three solutions: spring water (group W) and sucrose 12 and 24% w/v (groups S12 and S24, respectively), all in water vehicle. After 2 min, while awake, arm venipuncture was performed and duration of crying was measured. The time spent crying was reduced in the group treated with the sweetest solution (S24, n = 8, mean = 19.1 s). No difference was observed between the S12 group (n = 8, mean = 63.1 s) and W group (n = 12, mean = 72.9 s). Physiological measurements were recorded at different time points to evaluate excessive basal and procedural distress.
Abad
F
F
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
Díaz
N M
NM
Domenech
E
E
Robayna
M
M
Rico
J
J
D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003448:Crying; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013395:Sucrose