Randomized Clinical Trial of 24% Oral Sucrose to Decrease Pain Associated With Peripheral Intravenous Catheter...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal pain management
• Pediatric procedural pain

Background:

• Previous studies indicated oral 24% sucrose effectively reduced pain from heel and arterial needlesticks.
• The efficacy of oral sucrose for pain associated with peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter insertion in neonates remained unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of oral 24% sucrose solution in mitigating pain during peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter insertion in neonates.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 40 neonates undergoing PIV catheter insertion.
• Participants received either 24% oral sucrose or a placebo 2 minutes before the procedure.
• Pain scores, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored before, during, and after PIV insertion.

Main Results:

• Pain scores significantly increased during PIV insertion in all neonates, returning to baseline within 8 minutes.
• No statistically significant differences in pain scores, heart rate, or oxygen saturation were observed between the sucrose and placebo groups.
• The study found no evidence that 24% oral sucrose altered the neonatal pain response to PIV insertion.

Conclusions:

• Oral administration of 24% sucrose prior to PIV catheter insertion did not demonstrate a significant effect on neonatal pain response.
• Further research and replication are recommended before widespread clinical application of this intervention for neonatal pain management.