Alívio de dor em neonatos pré-termo: avaliação da eficácia do uso continuado de sacarose

Abstract

Gaspardo, C. M. Pain relief in preterm neonates: assessment of the efficacy of sucrose used in continued form. 2010. 248 f. Thesis (Doctoral Degree) Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, 2010. The development pathway of the preterm neonate begins in the context of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, permeated by the presence of several painful stimuli. Initial and repetitive pain may have long-term effect for vulnerable newborns. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Canadian Pediatric Society recommends the use of sucrose solution as non-pharmacological intervention for pain relief in neonates, however, the efficacy and safety of continued use of sucrose needs investigation. The present randomized controlled double-blind study aimed to assess the efficacy of oral administration of sucrose solution to 25% in repeated doses to relief pain in preterm neonates and to assess the possible side effects arising from the continued use of sucrose to newborns. Thirty-three preterm neonates with very low birth weight were divided into two groups: Sucrose Group (n = 17) and Water Group (n = 16). The newborns were assessed during four consecutive days during puncture procedure for blood collection. Each assessment was divided into five phases: Baseline, Antisepsis, Puncture, Dressing, and Recovery. The indicator of pain was assessed by facial activity, measured by the Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS). The level of activation of the neonates was measured by the sleepwake states and heart rate. In the first assessment, the newborns of both groups did not receive any substance before the painful procedure. During the next three days, Sucrose Group received 0.5ml/kg of oral sucrose and Water Group received sterile water two minutes before each painful procedure. Clinical outcomes data of newborns were obtained in the medical records. The results showed that on the first day of assessment newborns of both groups have anticipated the reactivity to painful stimuli, with significant increase of NFCS score, sleep-wake states and heart rate as early as antisepsis, and during recovery heart rate remained increased in comparison to the Baseline phase. From the second day of assessment, the Sucrose Group had lower NFCS scores and sleep-wake states during the procedure, compared to the Water Group. The physiological indicator of heart rate showed no significant difference between groups, however, sucrose has reduced the time required for the infant to recover and achieve physiological stability after passing through the painful procedure of puncture. There was no significant difference in clinical outcome of newborn in both groups, demonstrating that sucrose did not cause short term side effects in neonates. The finding was that the dose of 0.5 ml/kg of sucrose solution to 25% administered in repeated doses was effective for pain relief in preterm and did not caused short term side effects to the health of newborns.