Child Health Nurs Res.  2019 Jul;25(3):255-261. 10.4094/chnr.2019.25.3.255.

Comparison of the Pain-relieving Effects of Human Milk, Sucrose, and Distilled Water during Examinations for Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Jang EK
• Lee H
• Jo KS
• Lee SM
• Seo HJ
• Huh EJ

• KMID: 2454826
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2019.25.3.255

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study compared the pain-relieving effects of human milk, sucrose, and distilled water during examinations for retinopathy of prematurity.
METHODS
Forty-five preterm infants were randomly assigned to receive a pacifier dipped in one of three solutions: human milk (n=14), 24% sucrose (n=15), or distilled water (n=16), 2 minutes before an eye examination. Their pain score, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation were measured at three time points: 5 minutes before the examination, 30 seconds after speculum introduction, and 2 minutes after the examination.
RESULTS
The infants' mean gestational age and weight at birth were 33.1±2.1 weeks and 1,842±470 g, respectively. There were no between-group differences in pain relief during the eye examination. The pain score significantly increased both during (p<.001) and after the examinations (p=.003). Oxygen saturation decreased during the examinations (p<.001); however, the infants in the 24% sucrose group showed higher oxygen saturation (p=.047) during the examinations than the infants in the other groups.
CONCLUSION
Sucking on a pacifier dipped in human milk or 24% sucrose did not reduce the pain associated with eye examinations in preterm infants. Pacifiers dipped in sucrose can be used to maintain better oxygen saturation during these examinations.

Keyword

Analgesia; Human milk; Pain; Retinopathy of prematurity; Sucrose

MeSH Terms

Analgesia
Gestational Age
Heart Rate
Humans*
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Milk, Human*
Oxygen
Pacifiers
Parturition
Retinopathy of Prematurity*
Sucrose*
Surgical Instruments
Water*
Oxygen
Sucrose
Water