Oral sweet solution to prevent pain during neonatal hip examination: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: To determine if oral glucose can have a pain-relieving effect during routine hip examinations in newborn infants.

Methods: In this randomised controlled study 100 newborn infants undergoing the routine physical examination including the potentially painful hip examination were included between March 2016 and April 2017. Fifty infants were randomised to water (control) and 50 to oral glucose (intervention) before their examination. Pain was assessed using crying time, Astrid Lindgren and Lund Children's Hospital Pain and Stress Assessment Scale (ALPS-Neo) and Visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results: Total crying time (p = 0.006), crying time during the hip examination (p = 0.026), ALPS-Neo (p = 0.004) and VAS (p = 0.006) (when assessed by the physician) were all significantly decreased in the group of infants receiving glucose. VAS assessment made by the parents did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.127).

Conclusion: Oral glucose given before the examination has a pain-relieving effect during the hip examination in healthy newborn infants.

Keywords: Hip examination; Newborn; Oral glucose; Pain.