Effects of rectally administered paracetamol on infants delivered by vacuum extraction

Objective: To evaluate whether paracetamol (20 mg/kg rectally) relieves pai n in infants delivered by vacuum extraction, and improves clinical conditio n. Methods: Prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study . Infants delivered by vacuum extraction were randomised either to the stud y group (n=61) and given paracetamol or to the control group (n=61) receivi ng placebo. Pain assessment was performed by a validated pain score and by scoring the clinical condition. Both scores and clinical symptoms in these groups were compared with symptoms in a reference group (n=66) with uncompl icated pregnancy and delivery in vertex position without vacuum extraction. Results: Pain score did not differ between groups: clinical condition in t he study group improved only after the first dose. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in objective clinical symptoms in the vacuum extraction groups, compared to the reference group. Conclusion. One dose of paracetam ol given to neonates delivered by vacuum extraction significantly improved their clinical condition, but did not result in a significant change in obj ective pain scores. Subsequent doses of paracetamol did not show any effect on the clinical symptoms or appearance of the neonates studied. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.