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The use of EMLA cream to decrease venipuncture pain in children

Tanya L Rogers1, C Lynne Ostrow

  • 1School of Nursing, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. trogers1@mail.fscv.edu

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
|February 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream effectively reduces pain in children during venipuncture. This common procedure, including IV cannulation and phlebotomy, is less painful with EMLA compared to placebo or other anesthetics.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pain Management
  • Dermatology
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Venipuncture is a frequent and highly painful medical procedure for children.
  • Effective pain relief during pediatric venipuncture is crucial for patient comfort and cooperation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize evidence on the efficacy of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) cream for reducing venipuncture pain in children.
  • To compare EMLA cream with placebo, iontophoresis, and amethocaine cream.

Main Methods:

  • Literature synthesis reviewing studies on EMLA cream for pediatric venipuncture.
  • Comparative analysis of EMLA against placebo, iontophoresis, and amethocaine cream.

Main Results:

  • EMLA cream demonstrated significant effectiveness in alleviating pain associated with pediatric venipuncture.
  • The anesthetic effect of EMLA was confirmed for both intravenous cannulation and phlebotomy procedures.

Conclusions:

  • EMLA cream is an effective local anesthetic for managing pediatric venipuncture pain.
  • EMLA offers a viable option for pain reduction during common pediatric procedures like IV cannulation and phlebotomy.

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