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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
Examining the side effects of sucrose for pain relief in preterm infants: a case-control study
M B M Linhares1, C M Gaspardo1, L O Souza1
1Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
Insights
Short-term use of oral sucrose solution for pain relief in preterm neonates showed no adverse effects on their feeding patterns or weight gain during hospitalization and postdischarge. This study supports sucrose as a safe option for neonatal pain management.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care and pain management
- Developmental pediatrics
- Pharmacology in neonates
Background:
- Oral sucrose solution is a common analgesic for neonates during painful procedures.
- Limited research exists on the potential adverse effects of sucrose in preterm infants.
- Understanding sucrose's impact on feeding and growth is crucial for preterm neonate care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential side effects of sucrose for pain relief in preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of sucrose on feeding and weight gain during hospitalization.
- To evaluate feeding patterns postdischarge following short-term sucrose administration.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 43 preterm neonates divided into sucrose (n=18) and control (n=25) groups.
- Sucrose group received 0.5 mL/kg 25% oral sucrose before painful procedures over three days.
- Medical charts were reviewed for weight gain, feeding tube use, parenteral feeding, and postdischarge feeding patterns.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in weight gain, length of stay with orogastric tubes, or parenteral feeding.
- Postdischarge, human milk feeding rates were similar: 67% in the sucrose group and 74% in the control group.
- Neonatal feeding patterns and weight gain remained unaffected by short-term sucrose use for pain relief.
Conclusions:
- Short-term administration of oral sucrose solution for pain management in preterm neonates does not adversely affect their feeding or weight gain.
- Sucrose appears to be a safe intervention for acute pain relief in preterm infants.
- Further research could explore long-term effects, but current findings support its use in clinical practice.
Abstract:
Sucrose solution is recommended as relevant pain relief management in neonates during acute painful procedures; however, only a few studies have analyzed the potentially adverse effects of sucrose administration to preterm neonates. The goal of this study was to examine the potential side effects of sucrose for pain relief in preterm infants, assessing feeding and weight gain during hospitalization and their feeding patterns postdischarge. The study sample consisted of 43 preterm neonates divided into two groups: a sucrose group (SG, n=18) and a control group (CG, n=25) in which no sucrose was administered. The SG received 0.5 mL/kg 25% oral sucrose for 2 min prior to all acute painful procedures during three consecutive days. A prospective review of medical charts was performed for all samples. The study was done prior to implementation of the institutional sucrose guidelines as a routine service, and followed all ethical requirements. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of weight gain, length of stay with orogastric tubes, and parenteral feeding. Postdischarge, infant nutritional intake included feeding human milk to 67% of the SG and 74% of the CG. There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding human milk feeding patterns postdischarge. Neonate feeding patterns and weight gain were unaffected following the short-term use of sucrose for pain relief.
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