Sweet Solutions for Analgesia in Neonates in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

High-quality synthesized evidence of sweet taste analgesia in neonates exists. However, Chinese databases have never been included in previous systematic reviews of sweet solutions for procedural pain.

To conduct a systematic review of Chinese literature evaluating analgesic effects of sweet solutions for neonates. Data sources: Wang Fang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Data extraction and analysis: Two authors screened studies for inclusion and conducted risk of bias ratings and data extraction. A third author resolved any conflicts. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.2 software, on mean differences in pain outcomes using random effects models.

Thirty-one trials (4999 neonates) were included; 26 trials used glucose, 4 used sucrose, and 1 trial evaluated both solutions. Sweet solutions reduced standardized mean pain scores (n = 21 studies; -1.68, 95% confidence interval -2.08, -1.27) and cry duration (n = 6 studies; -25.60, 95% confidence interval -36.47, -14.72 s) but not heart rate change (n = 7 studies; -17.64, 95% confidence interval -52.71, 17.43). No included studies cited the previously published systematic reviews of sweet solutions.

This systematic review of Chinese databases showed the same results as previously published systematic reviews. No trials included in this review cited the English systematic reviews, highlighting a parallel research agenda.