Analgesic Efficacy of Oral Glucose in Preterm Neonates During Suctioning

Prospective, Placebo-Controlled Blinded Clinical Trial to Study the Efficacy of Orally Administered Glucose 20% for Relieving Pain During Nasopharyngeal Suctioning in Preterm Infants > 1500g Under CPAP-Therapy

Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a painful procedure that often becomes necessary in the care of preterm infants under CPAP therapy several times a day. Since the use of analgetic and sedative drugs is accompanied with multiple side effects these are usually being avoided. Glucose 20% has been shown to have an analgesic effect when administered to preterm infants previous to some painful procedures (i.e blood sampling).

In this clinical trial the efficacy of orally administered Glucose 20% for relieving the procedural pain of nasopharyngeal suctioning is tested. The investigators' study has a cross-over design and is to include 40 patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm newborns (>1500g birth weight) up to a gestational age of 36+6 weeks
• CPAP respiratory therapy
• Parents' given written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diseases complicating neuromuscular evaluation.
• Drug abuse by the mother
• Administration of other analgetic or sedative drugs within the previous 48h.
• Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 4 weeks before the beginning of this trial.