• Mariana Bueno, Janet Yamada, Denise Harrison, Sobia Khan, Arne Ohlsson, Thomasin Adams-Webber, Joseph Beyene, and Bonnie Stevens.
• School of Nursing, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. maribueno@hotmail.com
• Pain Res Manag. 2013 May 1; 18 (3): 153-61.

BackgroundSucrose has been demonstrated to provide analgesia for minor painful procedures in infants. However, results of trials investigating other sweet solutions for neonatal pain relief have not yet been synthesized.ObjectiveTo establish the efficacy of nonsucrose sweet-tasting solutions for pain relief during painful procedures in neonates.MethodThe present article is a systematic review and meta-analyses of the literature. Standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Collaborative Review Group were used. Literature searches were reviewed for randomized controlled trials investigating the use of sweet solutions, except sucrose, for procedural pain management in neonates. Outcomes assessed included validated pain measures and behavioural and physiological indicators.ResultsThirty-eight studies (3785 neonates) were included, 35 of which investigated glucose. Heel lancing was performed in 21⁄38 studies and venipuncture in 11⁄38 studies. A 3.6-point reduction in Premature Infant Pain Profile scores during heel lances was observed in studies comparing 20% to 30% glucose with no intervention (two studies, 124 neonates; mean difference -3.6 [95% CI -4.6 to -2.6]; P<0.001; I2=54%). A significant reduction in the incidence of cry after venipuncture for infants receiving 25% to 30% glucose versus water or no intervention was observed (three studies, 130 infants; risk difference -0.18 [95% CI -0.31 to -0.05]; P=0.008, number needed to treat = 6 [95% CI 3 to 20]; I2=63%).ConclusionsThe present systematic review and meta-analyses demonstrate that glucose reduces pain scores and crying during single heel lances and venipunctures. Results indicate that 20% to 30% glucose solutions have analgesic effects and can be recommended as an alternative to sucrose for procedural pain reduction in healthy term and preterm neonates.

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