title: EMLA(R) cream: a pain-relieving strategy for childhood vaccination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of topical eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA®) cream in reducing the pain associated with vaccination injections.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that included children who presented for routine immunization. Eligible children were randomly assigned to receive either EMLA® or placebo cream. The Modified Behavioural Pain Scale (MBPS) was used to assess baseline and postvaccination pain scores, while a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain at the time of the needle prick and at the end of the injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 107 children were enrolled in the EMLA® group and 109 children in the placebo group. The difference between the pre- and postvaccination MBPS scores was significantly lower in the EMLA group than in the placebo group (2.56 ± 1.96 versus 3.95 ± 2.20, respectively). The VAS scores at the time of the needle prick and after the injection were significantly lower in the EMLA® group compared with the placebo group (1.60 ± 1.67 versus 3.24 ± 2.01; 3.29 ± 2.27 versus 4.86 ± 2.20; respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of EMLA® cream can be effectively incorporated as a routine pain-relieving intervention within routine vaccination appointments.
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Manal
authors: M
authors: Abuelkheir
authors: Deema
authors: D
authors: Alsourani
authors: Ayman
authors: A
authors: Al-Eyadhy
authors: Mohamad-Hani
authors: MH
authors: Temsah
authors: Sultan Ayoub
authors: SA
authors: Meo
authors: Fahad
authors: F
authors: Alzamil
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D009824:Ointments; D010919:Placebos; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: Eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA®); childhood vaccination; pain assessment; vaccination pain