Infants undergoing routine medical procedures like blood draws or vaccinations may experience less pain with a simple intervention: a small dose of sugar solution, according to a new analysis.
A scientific analysis, published on Wednesday in the Cochrane database, found that giving babies a few drops of sugar solution before procedures involving a needle prick can reduce pain during and immediately after the intervention. This finding is particularly relevant as minimizing discomfort during medical procedures is crucial for infant well-being and can influence future healthcare experiences.
Infants, especially newborns and those in neonatal intensive care units, frequently require procedures such as vaccinations or blood tests. Their pain regulation systems are still developing, and they may experience pain more intensely than adults. Researchers from the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa conducted the study.
The Cochrane analysis showed that administering sucrose, or sugar, reduces pain associated with needle injections. The authors also found this method appeared more effective than using pacifiers. “Parents may be surprised to learn that something as simple as a few drops of sugar solution can make a real difference for their baby’s comfort during blood draws,” said Ligyana Candido, a co-author of the study from the University of Ottawa in Canada.
The researchers analyzed 29 clinical trials encompassing a total of 2,764 infants from various regions around the world. In these studies, children were randomly assigned to different treatment groups, some receiving sugar although others were given alternative pain-reducing methods like pacifiers, breastfeeding, or skin-to-skin contact.
Results indicated that newborns who received sugar exhibited lower pain levels during and immediately following the procedure, compared to those who received nothing or were given water. However, the authors note that evidence regarding the effectiveness of sucrose compared to breastfeeding or skin-to-skin contact remains limited.
The intervention may be particularly helpful for hospitalized infants. Some newborns require hospital stays after birth due to prematurity or the need for treatment for various conditions. During these stays, they often undergo multiple needle procedures for blood draws or the insertion of intravenous lines for administering fluids and medications.
The analysis highlights the widely accepted understanding that repeated, untreated pain in early life can negatively impact a child’s growth and development. “Newborns frequently undergo painful procedures in the hospital without measures for pain relief or comfort, although these procedures are rarely performed without pain control in older children and adults,” stated lead study author Mariana Bueno, from the University of Toronto.
Bueno explained that this intervention is low-cost, acts quickly, and can be especially useful when other comfort methods are unavailable. The findings of the analysis suggest that infants should receive pain management measures before medical procedures like venipuncture. The authors also emphasize the need for further evaluation of the long-term effects of repeated sucrose use.
