Comparison of oral glucose and sucrose solutions on pain response in neonates

In this study, we aimed to compare the analgesic effect of 30% sucrose and 10% and 30% glucose in a group of healthy term newborns. A total of 113 inf ants whose heels were pricked for the Guthrie test were included in the stu dy. The babies were randomized into 4 groups, receiving 2 mt of 30% sucrose , 10% glucose, 30% glucose, or distilled water. Response to pain was assess ed by mean crying time, recovery time, maximum heart rate, and percent chan ge in heart rate at 1, 2, and 3 minutes. Mean crying times were 60, 102, 95 , and 105 seconds in the sucrose, 10% glucose, 30% glucose, and placebo gro ups, respectively (P =.02). Although mean recovery time was shorter in the sucrose group (102 seconds), there was neither a significant difference bet ween the groups (10% glucose, 121 seconds; 30% glucose, 109 seconds; contro l group, 132 seconds [P =.09]), nov was there a difference in maximum heart rate and percent change in heart rate at 1, 2, and 3 minutes after heel pr ick (P =.14 P =.05, P =.53 for the first, second, and third minutes, respec tively). However, a statistically borderline difference existed at the end of 2 minutes favoring sucrose (P =.05). We conclude that 30% sucrose is sup erior to 10% and 30% glucose solutions in relieving pain, showing its prima ry effect in dying time. As glucose solutions are readily available in neon atal intensive care units and easier to use in routine practice, further tr ials are needed to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of glucose when comb ined with other nonpharmacologic methods.