The analgesic effect of sucrose in full term infants: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of different sucrose concentrations on measures of neonatal pain.

DESIGN

Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of sterile water (control) or one of three solutions of sucrose--namely, 12.5%, 25%, and 50% wt/vol.

SETTING

Postnatal ward.

PATIENTS

60 healthy infants of gestational age 37-42 weeks and postnatal age 1-6 days randomised to receive 2 ml of one of the four solutions on to the tongue two minutes before heel prick sampling for serum bilirubin concentrations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Duration of crying over the first three minutes after heel prick.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in overall crying time and heart rate after three minutes in the babies given 50% sucrose as compared with controls. This was maximal one minute after heel prick in the 50% sucrose group and became statistically significant in the 25% sucrose group at two minutes. There was a significant trend for a reduction in crying time with increasing concentrations of sucrose over the first three minutes.

CONCLUSION

Concentrated sucrose solution seems to reduce crying and the autonomic effects of a painful procedure in healthy normal babies. Sucrose may be a useful and safe analgesic for minor procedures in neonates.