Description and indication for use
Sucrose has been shown to minimise pain and
discomfort for infants less than 3 months of age during minor procedures.
Procedures where Sucrose may be useful are heel pricks, venepuncture,
intravenous cannula insertion, intramuscular injections, adhesive tape removal
and lumbar puncture.
Dose
|
Infant’s
current weight or birth weight (Whichever is greater)
|
Suggested Aliquot
|
Max dose per procedure
Nil Orally/Enteral Feeds
|
Max amount per 24 hours
(Midnight to Midnight)
|
|
<1500gm
|
0.25 mL
|
0.5
mL
|
2.5 mL
|
|
>1500gm
|
0.25 – 0.5 mL
|
1 mL
|
5 mL
|
Route and method of administration
Oral:
Two minutes prior to the anticipated
painful procedure, use the syringe to administer an aliquot of the Sucrose dose
slowly onto the front of the infant’s tongue. The aliquot volume will be
influenced by the infant’s weight and maximum dose per procedure (refer to
above table). Repeat every two minutes until the infant is settled after the
procedure or the maximum dose per procedure is given.
Special considerations
The use of oral Sucrose should be discussed
with the consultant or neonatal fellow.
Infants less than 30 weeks gestation.
Infants who are nil orally.
Infants receiving intravenous analgesia and
sedation.
Suspected or proven bowel obstruction such
as, necrotising enterocolitis, gastroschisis, exomphalous.
Inconsolable crying when all other measures
have been unsuccessful.
References:
1.
D. Harrison, 2004, Oral Sucrose for procedural pain management in
infants, RCH CPG (accessed via RCH intranet 03/10/2013).
2.
Stevens B, et al.. Sucrose for analgesia in newborn infants
undergoing painful procedures. The
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012.
DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD001069.pub4.
3.
Boyd, S. (2002) Sucrose analgesia: A realistic alternative
to conventional pharmacology for pain relief in neonates. Journal of Neonatal Nursing 8(6): 184-90.
4.
Johnston C. (2002) Routine Sucrose Analgesia During the First Week
of Life in Neonates Younger than 31 Weeks Post-conceptional Age. Pediatrics 110(3): 523-28.