Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine,
Kathmandu, Nepal
Note: [] Corresponding author: Srijana Basnet, MD, House nr 269/16, P.O.
Box 5785, Chabahil, Kathmandu, Nepal. E-mail: drsrijanabasnet@yahoo.com
Abstract: Objective: This study was undertaken to study physiological and
behavioral pain responses of neonates and to assess the analgesic effect of
orally administered sucrose as assessed by the behavioral pain rating scale
[DAN (Douleur Aiguë du Nouveau-né) score] during venepuncture in
neonates. Method: In 50 healthy neonates requiring bilirubin estimation,
blood sugar was randomly assigned to receive 2ml of 30% sucrose two minutes
before the venepuncture (intervention) in comparison to a group not receiving
sucrose (control). During the procedure, pain was assessed by behavioral pain
rating scale [Douleur Aiguë Nouveau-né (DAN) scale]. The heart rate,
oxygen saturation before, during and after procedure as well as crying time was
noted. Results: There was significantly lower pain (DAN) score in the
intervention group compared to control group. Median (inter-quartile) DAN score
in the group receiving sucrose was 3 (1.5–5.5) compared to 7 (5–9.5) in
control group. The difference in median DAN score between two groups was
statistically significant (p=0.0001). There was a significant increase in
heart rate in the control group whereas in group receiving sucrose, no
significant change in heart rate was observed. Similarly, oxygen saturation was
also significantly reduced in control group when compared to intervention
group. Conclusion: The analgesic effect of 30% sucrose was large
enough to be clinically significant and can thus be detected by behavioral
rating scale for acute pain (DAN). Sucrose reduces the physiological alteration
occurring during venipuncture.
