Effect of oral sugar solution for reducing pain in infants underwent diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) im- munization: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial

Abstract

Background Infants are often subjected to painful procedures such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DTP) immunization. Despite its negative effects, pain in infants has not got enough attention. Sweet oral solution has analgesic effect. Objective To determine whether oral sugar solution can reduce the duration of crying in infants who got DTP immunization. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial performed at Growth and Development Clinic of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital and two Primary Health Centers in Yogyakarta. Study subjects were 4-6 month-old infants who got the 3 rd DTP immunization. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 2 ml 75% oral sugar solution (intervention group) or 2 ml drinking water (placebo) just before the immunization. Crying was recorded from just before the injection until 3 minutes after. Results Eighty-six subjects were enrolled; 42 subjects received sugar solution and 44 subjects received placebo. Sugar solution reduced the median duration of first cry about 38 seconds or 32% (P=0.03) and reduced the median duration of total crying about 35 seconds or 24% (P=0.02). Conclusion Administration of 2 ml 75% oral sugar solution can alleviate pain associated with DTP immunization as shown by reduced duration of crying.

Keywords

• infant analgesia
• immunization
• pain
• sugar