Randomised controlled trial showed that neonates received better pain relief from a higher dose of sucrose during venepuncture.

AIM: We compared the effect of two different doses of sucrose on neonatal pain scores during venepuncture.

METHODS: This randomised crossover study focused on neonates born weighing more than 1000 g from December 2014 to June 2016, who received neonatal intensive care at two hospitals: one in Empangeni, South Africa, and one in Trondheim, Norway. During two consecutive venepuncture procedures, 27 neonates from South Africa and 26 neonates from Norway were randomised to receive 0.2 mL or 0.5 mL sucrose. Half was administered two minutes before venepuncture and the rest immediately before the procedure. South Africa used 25% sucrose and Norway 24%. Pain scores were measured twice using the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised: during skin puncture and after the needle was removed.

RESULTS: The mean pain scores during skin puncture were significantly lower with 0.5 mL sucrose than with 0.2 mL (5.3 versus 6.8, p=0.008), but the mean pain scores after the needle was removed were similar with both doses (4.7 versus 5.4, p=0.29). We found no significant association between weight and pain scores.

CONCLUSION: We showed that neonates received better pain relief from 0.5 mL than 0.2 mL sucrose during venepuncture but not after the needle was removed.