RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF PARACETAMOL FOR HEEL PRICK PAIN IN NEONATES

Aim-To evaluate the effectiveness of paracetamol in decreasing the pai n from heel prick. Methods-A prospective randomised double blind place bo controlled trial was conducted of 75 term neonates undergoing heel prick. Sixty to 90 minutes before the procedure neonates received para cetamol orally in a dose of 20 mg/kg (group 1) or an equal volume of p lacebo (group 2). Heel prick was performed in a standardised manner. P ain assessments were made using per cent facial action (brow bulge, ey e squeeze, and nasolabial fold (range 0-300%) and per cent of time spe nt crying (range 0-100%). Results-Thirty eight neonates were enrolled in group 1 and 37 neonates in group 2. There were no significant diffe rences in the demographic characteristics between groups. Mean gestati onal age was 39 (SD 1.4) vs 39.4 (SD 1.2) weeks, p=0.86, mean birthwei ght 3.45 (SD 0.45) vs 3.44 (SD 0.42) kg; p=0.31 for groups 1 and 2, re spectively. Facial action pain scores did not differ between groups (1 43.5 (SD 54.2)% vs 131.1 (SD 59.6)%; p=0.38). Cry scores also did not differ (29.4 (SD 19.9)% vs 26.8 (SD 20.2)%; p=0.60). No adverse effect s were observed. Conclusion-Paracetamol is ineffective for decreasing the pain from heel prick in term neonates.