Sucrose Has Been Shown to Have Analgesic Properties When Administered to Neonates and Infants: Is There the Potential for Its Use in Post-Operative Pain Management?

Abstract

Since the early 1980s pain has been recognised in neonates. Much research has been performed over the years into the analgesic effect of sucrose administered for painful procedures performed on the neonate and infant. Studies have reported the endogenous effect of sucrose when used in conjunction with non-nutritive sucking (pacifiers). Sucrose is routinely administered to neonates and infants in the US either on its own or as an adjunct to other pharmacological interventions post-operatively.