Glucose solution is more effective in relieving pain in neonates than non-nutritive sucking: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Few studies have compared the analgesic effect of 25% glucose and non-nutritive sucking. We compared the analgesic effect of 25% glucose and non-nutritive sucking in newborns undergoing hepatitis B vaccination. Our hypothesis is that 25% glucose is more effective in relieving pain than non-nutritive sucking. Methods: A randomized clinical trial with 78 healthy newborns was performed. Neonates were assigned randomly to receive 25% glucose (G25) and non-nutritive sucking (NNS). Pain was assessed using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) before and during the immunization procedure. In addition, we evaluated various physiological parameters and crying time. Results: Neonates who received 25% glucose registered lower NIPS scores than those from the NNS group [mean (SD), 3.3 (2.1) vs. 5.6 (1.6), p < 0.001]. The crying time was shorter among newborns in the G25 group than in the NNS and control groups. Conclusion: The use of 25% glucose before the vaccination procedure was more effective in relieving acute pain, with newborns in the G25 group registering scores two times lower on the NIPS scale. The clinical practice of administering 25% glucose is therefore a suggested nondrug measure for pain relief during painful procedures. Significance: Neonates who received 25% glucose registered lower NIPS scores than those from the NNS group; the crying time was shorter among newborns in the G25 group than in the NNS and control groups; the use of 25% glucose before the vaccination procedure was more effective in relieving acute pain.