The Use of Oral Sucrose for Procedural Pain Relief in Infants Up to Six Months of Age: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing