Oral glucose solution to alleviate pain induced by intramuscular injections in preterm infants.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to assess the effectiveness of 5% oral glucose solution in reducing pain in preterm infants during intramuscular injection. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled, unblinded trial to investigate the effect of glucose solution on the pain of intramuscular injection in preterm infants (N = 80).
RESULTS: Infants who received oral glucose had significantly lower pain scores (p < .001), less crying time (p < .001), higher oxygen saturation (p < .001), and lower heart rate after compared with during the procedure (p = .02). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our results suggest that oral glucose, even if used in the lowest dose, may have a pain-relieving effect in preterm infants if administered pre-procedure.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes