Evidence · Randomised trial
The minimally effective dose of sucrose for procedural pain relief in neonates: a randomized controlled trial.
- Comfort and nursing care
- Medical
- Nursing
- Pain and comfort
This paper is from 2018, more than five years ago. Newer evidence may have been published since.
Summary
Multicentre randomised controlled trial in four Canadian tertiary NICUs comparing three doses of 24% sucrose, given with non-nutritive sucking, before a routine heel lance in 245 neonates born at 24-42 weeks' gestation. Pain intensity was measured with the PIPP-R at 30 and 60 seconds, and adverse events were recorded. No difference in pain scores was found between doses, although pain was not fully eliminated, and adverse events were infrequent and resolved spontaneously. The authors conclude the smallest dose studied was the minimally effective dose for a single heel lance and call for evaluation with repeated procedures.
Summary written for NICUlearn. Always read the original.
- Licence:
- Open (Creative Commons)
The full text of this openly licensed paper is available to NICUlearn members, and Neeky can answer questions from it.
Guidelines are shown for education. Follow your unit's own guidance and senior advice.