title: The use of oral sucrose for procedural pain relief in infants up to six months of age: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral sucrose in decreasing pain during minor procedures in infants of 1-6 months corrected age. A blinded randomized controlled trial with infants aged 4-26 weeks who underwent venipuncture, heel lance or intravenous cannulation were stratified by corrected age into > 4-12 weeks and > 12-26 weeks. They received 2 mL of either 25% sucrose or sterile water orally 2 minutes before the painful procedure. Nonnutritional sucking and parental comfort, provided in adherence to hospital guidelines, were recorded. Pain behavior was recorded using a validated 10 point scale at baseline, during and following the procedure. Data collectors were blinded to the intervention. A total of 21 and 20 infants received sucrose and water, respectively, in the > 4-12-week age group, and 21 and 22, respectively, in the > 12-26-week age group. No statistical differences were found in pain scores between treatment and control groups at any data collection points in either age group. Infants aged > 4-12 weeks who did nonnutritional sucking showed statistically significantly lower median pain scores at 1, 2, and 3 minutes after the procedure than those who did not suck. Infants aged > 4-26 weeks exhibited pain behavior scores that indicated moderate to large pain during painful procedures; however, there was insufficient evidence to show that 2 mL 25% sucrose had a statistically significant effect in decreasing pain. Infants should be offered nonnutritional sucking in compliance with the Baby Friendly Health Initiative during painful procedures.
authors: Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. Electronic address: sally.wilson@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Wilson
authors: School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
authors: Alexandra P
authors: AP
authors: Bremner
authors: Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia.
authors: Judy
authors: J
authors: Mathews
authors: Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia.
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Pearson
mesh_terms: D059787:Acute Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D003448:Crying; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000451:nursing*; D011187:Posture; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013395:Sucrose