title: Sucrose analgesia: identifying potentially better practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to review the use of oral sucrose for procedural pain management in NICUs, develop potentially better practice guidelines that are based on the best current evidence, and provide ideas for the implementation of these potentially better practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  A collaboration of 12 centers of the Vermont Oxford Network worked together to review the strength of the evidence, clinical indications, dosage, administration, and contraindications and identify potential adverse effects for the use of sucrose analgesia as the basis of potentially better practices for sucrose analgesia guidelines. Several units implemented the guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Through reviews and inputs from all centers of the evidence, consensus was reached and guidelines that included indication, dosage per painful procedure, age-related dosage over 24 hours, method of delivery, and contraindications were developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Guidelines now are available from a consensus group, and suggestions for implementation of guidelines, based on implementation of other pain management strategies, were developed.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Research Center, 747 52nd St, Neonatology, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. llefrak@mail.cho.org
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lefrak
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burch
authors.forename: Rheta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caravantes
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knoerlein
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: DeNolf
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hampton
authors.forename: Celeste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lockey
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin-Walters
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McLendon
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Cliff
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toczylowski
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D059408:Pain Management; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013395:Sucrose