Efficacy of 10% Dextrose versus Expressed Breast Milk in Relieving Procedural Pain in Neonates – A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to compare the efficacy of 10% dextrose (10%D) and expressed breast milk (EBM) in relieving heel prick pain in neonates assessed by premature infant pain profile-revised (PIPP-R). This study was done in the neonatal intensive care unit under the department of pediatrics, hospital-based prospective, randomized controlled trial. The study includes neonates born between ≥34 weeks and ≤42 weeks of gestational age. The 72 enrolled neonates were randomized into two intervention groups (EBM and 10%D). One milliliter of test solution was given to the baby 30 s before the heel prick. Pain reactions were scored using the PIPP-R scoring system, and two independent observers were chosen, who were blinded to what intervention was given. For the EBM solution, the mean PIPP-R at 0 s was 7.19 ± 2, 5.5 ± 1.5 at 30 s, and 4.28 ± 1.65 at 60 s. For the 10%D solution, the mean PIPP-R at 0 s was 4.97 ± 1.42, 2.36 ± 1.44 at 30 s, and 1.69 ± 1.53 at 60 s. The difference in the mean PIPP-R between the two groups was statistically significant, and the 10%D group majority had only minimal pain throughout the procedure. Compared to the EBM group, 10%D significantly lowered the mean PIPP-R score, giving good pain relief and less procedural discomfort.