Glucose analgesia in neonates
- Strong sweet solutions like glucose reduce the physiological and behavioural indicators of pain following painful procedures in neonates
- Glucose is an inexpensive and easy method that is well accepted by the babies
- It can be used for pain relief during minor procedures, like blood sampling, heel lance, venipuncture and immunisation
Indications
- Infants prior to heel-prick, venipuncture, blood sampling, LP or other invasive procedures
- Age less than 28 days
Dose
- 2mls 30% glucose solution
- Give orally, with a sterile syringe or ideally on a dummy, 2 minutes prior to skin puncture
Contraindications
- Ventilated and/or paralysed babies
- Babies with NEC
Side effects
- No side effects have been reported
