High quality glucose & sucrose solution for infant analgesia
Delta Medical International offer both glucose and sucrose solution to reduce pain in neonates and babies. The Babycalmine and SweetUms brands are well established as highest quality products and offer exceptional value for money.
Clinical Background
It has been well established that oral administration of a sucrose or glucose solution in water can decrease pain and discomfort in infants undergoing procedures1,2,3,4. This offers an effective alternative to pharmacological interventions in many cases and the use of natural substances has a clear advantage.
Studies have shown that administration around two minutes before a procedure starts gives optimal effectiveness. This can be by oral introduction of a few drops of the solution or by adding it to a pacifier to combine with non-nutritive sucking; research has shown that this is the most effective method of delivery for pain relief5.
Sucrose consists of glucose and fructose, with the former being the part that has the desired effect in reducing the child’s pain perception. In order to act the sucrose must first be metabolised into the two components before the glucose fraction can deliver the comforting benefit through the central nervous system. This suggests that glucose may theoretically offer some advantage and certainly is at least as effective as sucrose5,6.
Studies suggest that the effect of glucose solution increases with concentration at least up to around 30%, but not significantly thereafter3,4. Studies have shown that a 30% glucose solution in water is very effective3,4,5.
Dosage & Administration
The receptors on which the sucrose or glucose acts are found near the tip of the baby’s tongue and so administration needs to ensure the product reaches this area. The Babycalmine and SweetUms ampoules offer significant advantages as their shapes allow delivery of the contents to exactly the right part of the infant’s tongue. Effective, targeted delivery of the solution means repeated small doses can be administered yet be effective in delivering the analgesia required.
Glucose or sucrose solution is normally indicated for babies up to four months of age and generally considered more effective the younger the infant. Recommended dosage is typically correlated to patient weight up to 3kg, with a full 2ml ampoule appropriate above 3kg. The following chart gives guidance on typical dosages for both 30% glucose and 24% sucrose solutions.
Dosages for guidance only – the healthcare professional responsible should check they are appropriate for each individual patient.
Product Information
Delta Medical International offer solutions, which are available as either 30% glucose or 24% sucrose, both with highest specification and quality. Both formulations are in pharmaceutical grade sterile water and are free of preservatives and chemical agents.
Product is typically supplied in 1ml or 2ml flexible plastic ampoules. The container is specifically designed to facilitate administration one drop at a time and it allows the dosage rate to be easily controlled by nursing staff.
Please contact us to discuss your specific needs or for part numbers.
References
- Taddio A, Shah V, Katz J. Reduced infant response to a routine care procedure after sucrose analgesia. Pediatrics, 2009.
- Stevens B, Yamada J, Ohlsson A. Sucrose for analgesia in newborn infants undergoing painful procedures. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
- Dilen B, Elseviers M. Oral glucose solution as pain relief in newborns: results of a clinical trial. Birth, 2010.
- Jatana S, Dalal S, Wilson C. Analgesic effect of oral glucose in neonates. MJAFI, 2003.
- Carbajal R, Chauvet X, et al. Randomised trial of analgesic effects of sucrose, glucose, and pacifiers in term neonates. BMJ, 1999.
- Okan F, Coban A, Ince Z, et al. Analgesia in preterm newborns: the comparative effects of sucrose and glucose. European Journal of paediatrics, 2007.
Brochure Download
Click to download the sucrose / glucose product brochure
