Why is Sucrose used to manage pain in neonates?

Question

Just wondering if anyone could help as my girlfriend has an assignment to write on this! If anyone who has studied Pediatric Nursing has done this before, please come forward as im sure you will be of GREAT help!

Answer 1

"SUCROSE AS AN ANALGESICS IN NEWBORN INFANTS

Authors: Dr. Amar .M. Taksande, Dr. K. Y. Vilhekar, Dr. Manish Jain, Dr. Sherin Varkey*, Dr. Sheshu Rao,

Department of Pediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical

Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha, Maharashtra -442102.

* Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical

Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha, Maharashtra -442102."

The paper is inconclusive. Any sweet improves pain tolerance in individuals. Honey stays in system longer and may work better.

Answer 2

It's a comfort measure. They put it on a pacifier and give it to the baby while drawing blood, etc...it's not used as a pain killer for babies in constant pain.

Hope this helps!