Oral glucose for pain relief during eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity
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1Department of Paediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
Insights
Oral glucose did not significantly reduce pain during eye exams for premature infants undergoing retinopathy of prematurity screening. Further research into alternative pain management strategies is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pain management in neonates
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Sweet-tasting solutions are known to reduce pain in infants during procedures.
- The efficacy of oral glucose for pain relief during retinopathy of prematurity eye exams is unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pain-relieving effects of oral glucose in premature neonates during retinopathy of prematurity screening eye examinations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled, double-blind study was conducted.
- Thirty preterm infants received either 30% glucose or sterile water before eye exams.
- Pain responses were assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile, heart rate, and crying time.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in pain scores were observed between the glucose and placebo groups.
- Heart rate changes and crying duration also showed no significant differences.
Conclusions:
- Oral glucose administration does not appear to provide pain relief during eye examinations in preterm infants.
- It should not be used as a sole method for pain management in this context; other measures are advised.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine whether oral glucose could have a pain-relieving effect during the eye examinations that premature neonates undergo in the screening for retinopathy of prematurity.
Background:
Studies have shown that orally administered sweet-tasting solutions reduce signs of pain during painful procedures such as venepuncture and heel sticks on premature and full-term infants. This effect has not yet been proven during the eye examinations for the screening of retinopathy of prematurity. Design. Randomised, controlled, double-blind study.
Method:
Thirty infants born before 32 weeks of gestation and/or weighing <1500 g at birth were randomised to receive 1 ml of either 30% glucose or sterile water before the eye examination. Examinations were videotaped, and the observer was blinded to the intervention. Pain responses were scored using the premature infant pain profile. Heart rate and crying time were also recorded.
Results:
There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, neither in premature infant pain profile score, heart rate changes nor crying time.
Conclusion:
This study does not support the pain-relieving effect of orally administered glucose during eye examinations in preterm infants.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Oral glucose should not be used as single measure for pain relief during eye examinations of preterm infants. Other comforting and pain-relieving measures should be used.
