Evidenced-Based Practice: Sucrose for Neonates Neonates are frequently exposed to pain as a result of minor procedures such as venipunctures or heel sticks. Many infants require vaccines, labs, and tests that result in pain. Non-pharmacological methods of relief beyond standard comfort measures exist but are not always utilized. Pain can inhibit development especially in the early stages (Basnet, Shrestha, & Shrestha, 2010). Pain in neonates is commonly measured as changes in vital signs or behavior (Milazzo, Fielder, Bittel, Coil, McClure, Tobin & Vander Kamp, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature in response to the following PICO question: In healthy pre-term and term neonates, is oral sucrose an effective method
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(2009) evaluate the behavioral and physical responses of pain repeated heel sticks over 11 months. Researchers conclude that sucrose is an effective method to control pain with repeated needle sticks based on their findings. They observed an increase in heart rate and a decrease in oxygen saturation. Over the course of 11 months, facial scores decreased with each heel lance. Post procedure crying time was six percent less than during the procedure. Facial scores in 20% of heel sticks were given a score of four, the highest possible. Sixty-four percent were given a score of 0. Facial scores were consistently consistent in the neonates with repeated exposure to heel sticks (regression slope of -0.0084). In the three minute facial evaluation, researchers observed a statistically significant decrease in the neonates’ responses, yet they note that the clinical relevance is difficult to determine because of the pain scale used. Milazzo et al. (2011) state that duration of crying time in the experimental group were significantly less than the placebo group (P=0.006), yet none of the aspects pertaining to the pain scale such breathing pattern, movement, and arousal were significantly different. Additionally, Milazzo et al. (2011) assert that physiologic responses to pain were similar post procedure for experimental and placebo. Post procedure, researchers did not observe changes in heart rate or oxygen saturation. Thus, coming to the conclusion that neonates did not have physiologic changes in response to the sucrose
(2009) evaluate the behavioral and physical responses of pain repeated heel sticks over 11 months. Researchers conclude that sucrose is an effective method to control pain with repeated needle sticks based on their findings. They observed an increase in heart rate and a decrease in oxygen saturation. Over the course of 11 months, facial scores decreased with each heel lance. Post procedure crying time was six percent less than during the procedure. Facial scores in 20% of heel sticks were given a score of four, the highest possible. Sixty-four percent were given a score of 0. Facial scores were consistently consistent in the neonates with repeated exposure to heel sticks (regression slope of -0.0084). In the three minute facial evaluation, researchers observed a statistically significant decrease in the neonates’ responses, yet they note that the clinical relevance is difficult to determine because of the pain scale used. Milazzo et al. (2011) state that duration of crying time in the experimental group were significantly less than the placebo group (P=0.006), yet none of the aspects pertaining to the pain scale such breathing pattern, movement, and arousal were significantly different. Additionally, Milazzo et al. (2011) assert that physiologic responses to pain were similar post procedure for experimental and placebo. Post procedure, researchers did not observe changes in heart rate or oxygen saturation. Thus, coming to the conclusion that neonates did not have physiologic changes in response to the sucrose