ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We compared the pain reducing effect of orally administered glucose solution with EMLA cream and pacifiers during venipuncture in newborn infants. METHODS: Fifty newborn infants(30 prematures) were enrolled in this study. We performed these four pain-reducing methods to all infants in serial order. Group A(control) did not receive any treatment; to group B, EMLA cream was applied on the skin for 1 hour; group C(or D) received 10 percent(or 30 percent) glucose solution orally; group E used pacifiers. Symptoms and signs associated with pain at venipuncture were measured with the Premature Infants Pain Profile(PIPP) scale. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the PIPP scores between preterm and fullterm infants. The mean PIPP scores of groups were A:12.5+/-2.5, B:10.1+/-2.6, C:9.4+/-2.0, D:6.5+/-2.1 and E:8.7+/-2.3; the mean scores of groups B, C, D and E were significantly lower than that of group A(all, P<0.001 except B(P<0.05)), and the mean score of D was significantly lower than those of B, C and E(P<0.001, P<0.005, P<0.05, respectively). The percentages of patients with PIPP scores above 6, which means pain, were A:100 percent, B:82 percent, C:56 percent, D:40 percent and E:70 percent. The percentages of patients with PIPP scores above 12, which means severe pain, were A:72 percent, B:30 percent, C:22 percent, D:0 percent and E:14 percent; that of group D was clearly lowest. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of oral glucose solution, EMLA, and pacifiers for pain reduction as effective intervention at venipuncture in newborn infants. The most effective method was a 30 percent oral glucose solution.