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Published on: November 29, 2017
Interventions to reduce pain during vaccination in infancy
Dilek Dilli1, Izzet Göker Küçük, Yildiz Dallar
1Department of Paediatrics, Ministry of Health, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. dilekdilli2@yahoo.com
Breast-feeding reduces vaccination pain in infants under six months. For older children, both sucrose solution and lidocaine-prilocaine cream effectively decrease pain during immunizations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pain Management
- Immunization Practices
Background:
- Vaccination is a critical preventive health measure for infants and children.
- Pain during vaccination can cause distress and lead to needle phobia.
- Effective pain management strategies are essential for positive healthcare experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate interventions for reducing pain in infants and children during vaccinations.
- To compare the efficacy of breast-feeding, sucrose solution, and lidocaine-prilocaine cream for pain relief.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 243 children aged 0-48 months undergoing routine vaccinations.
- Infants (<6 months) were assigned to breast-feeding or no breast-feeding.
- Older children (6-48 months) received 12% sucrose solution, lidocaine-prilocaine cream, or no intervention.
- Pain and crying time were assessed using validated scales (NIPS, CHEOPS).
Main Results:
- Breast-feeding significantly reduced pain and crying time in infants under six months.
- Sucrose solution and lidocaine-prilocaine cream significantly decreased pain and crying time in children aged 6-48 months.
- No significant difference in pain reduction was observed between sucrose and lidocaine-prilocaine treatments.
Conclusions:
- Breast-feeding demonstrates an analgesic effect in infants up to six months of age.
- Both 12% sucrose solution and lidocaine-prilocaine cream are effective in mitigating vaccination pain in older children.
- These findings support the use of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions to improve vaccination tolerance.
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