effect of oral dextrose on pain relief of newborn infants

ABSTRACT

In comparision with children and adults pain in the newborn infants is under assessed and under managed. Recently oral sweet solutions such as sucrose has been used for painful procedures in neonates. The objective was to assess the efficacy of 25% dextrose for managing of infants pain in neonatal peripheral venepuncture. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 60 term neonates were enrolled in the study. They were randomized to receive oral dextrose [25%] or sterile water two minutes before venepuncture. Pain reactions were scored with CRIES pain scoring system, Crying time and heart rate at five minutes after venepuncture were recorded. There were significantly lower pain score and shorter crying time in dextrose group after venepuncture [CRIES pain score 2.23 +/- 1.45 vs 6.17 +/- 1.66 P=0.001], [Duration of crying [sec] 2.83 +/- 1.64 vs 16.97 +/- 8.49 P=0.001] respectively. Using oral dextrose solution is a useful, non expensive and non pharmacologic method for managing pain of venepuncture in neonates