Intra-Oral Administration of Sweet-Tasting Substances and Infants’ Crying Response to Immunization: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Publisher： Karger

E-ISSN： 1661-7819|81|3|163-169

ISSN： 1661-7800

Source： Neonatology, Vol.81, Iss.3, 2002-04, pp. : 163-169

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The analgesic effects of four solutions administered intra-orally (25 and 50% sucrose solutions, hydrogenated glucose, and a sterile water placebo) were tested in groups of babies receiving routine DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type B) injections at the first, second, or third immunization. The duration of the baby’s cry during 3 min following DTP and HIB injections was measured as main outcome. For all three immunization groups, the babies receiving the placebo generally spent most time crying. For both the DTP and HIB injections, the difference between 50% sucrose and placebo was most evident in the group receiving the 3rd immunization. Intra-oral administration of the 50% sucrose solution, compared to placebo, appeared to reduce the cry response to painful experiences in babies beyond the neonatal period.