Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
Comparing sucrose solution with distilled water for pain management in premature infant venipuncture: randomized
Hossein Habibzadeh1, Maryam Salamat Bakhsh2, Mina Hosseini3
1Departments ofMedical-Surgical Nursing.
Insights
Both 20% sucrose and distilled water effectively reduce pain in premature infants after procedures like venipuncture. Distilled water offers practical advantages, making it a viable option for pain management.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pain management
- Infant development
Background:
- Pain management is critical for premature infants undergoing painful procedures.
- Uncontrolled pain can negatively impact infant growth, cognitive development, and future pain responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of 20% sucrose and distilled water in reducing procedural pain in premature infants.
- To evaluate the use of distilled water as a cost-effective and easily prepared alternative for pain management in neonates.
Main Methods:
- A double-blinded clinical investigation was conducted with 150 premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- Infants were randomly assigned to three groups: 20% sucrose (50), distilled water (50), or a control (50).
- Behavioral pain responses were assessed using a standardized infant pain measurement tool before and at 2 and 7 minutes post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Pain scores significantly decreased in both the 20% sucrose and distilled water groups at 2 and 7 minutes post-intervention (P<0.001).
- The control group showed no significant reduction in pain scores, with scores increasing at 2 minutes.
- Mean pain scores at 7 minutes post-intervention were lower in the sucrose group (2.0±1.02) compared to the distilled water group (3.08±1.10) and control group (4.72±0.96).
Conclusions:
- Both 20% sucrose and distilled water are equally effective in reducing infant pain following venipuncture.
- Distilled water presents a viable clinical option for pain management due to its efficacy, economic benefits, and ease of preparation.
Introduction And Importance:
Managing pain is critical, especially for premature infants undergoing frequent painful procedures. Uncontrolled pain can lead to lasting harm in growth, cognitive development, and future pain responses.
Methods:
A double-blinded clinical investigation involving 150 premature infants was performed in a neonatal intensive care unit. They were randomly divided into three groups: Sucrose 20% (50 infants), distilled water (50 infants), and a control group (50 infants). The infants' behavioral responses were assessed using an infant pain measurement tool before, at 2, and 7 min after the intervention through direct observation.
Results:
The study revealed that mean pain scores before, 2 min after, and 7 min after the intervention in the sucrose group were (4.78±0.91), (3.18±1.15), and (2±1.02), respectively. In the distilled water group, scores were (4.66±0.89), (3.04±1.15), and (3.08±1.10), while in the control group, they were (4.0±0.79), (4.94±0.79), and (4.72±0.96). The trend of pain scores varied among the groups over time, with a significant difference in mean pain scores at different time points (P<0.001). Initially comparable, pain scores notably decreased after 2 min in the sucrose and distilled water groups (P<0.001), differing from the control group.
Conclusion:
The study indicated that 20% sucrose and distilled water equally reduce infant pain post-venipuncture, suggesting their viability for clinical pain management. Distilled water, however, provides additional benefits, including economic considerations and ease of preparation.
