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Skin Blood Flow Changes Using Laser Doppler Imager for Assessment of Pain and Analgesia in Newborn Infants

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Procedural Pain
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT00694174
Lead Sponsor
Children's Hospital of Michigan
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess whether an instrument, the Laser Doppler Imager, is able to measure the effect of pain related changes in skin blood flow in newborn infants. The study will also determine whether the use of sucrose (sugar water) when given by mouth has any effect on pain related skin blood flow changes.

Detailed Description

During the last 25 years evidence that newborns can experience pain has been increasing. Painful procedures (injections, heel lances, and circumcisions) are part of normal routine newborn care. Studies have demonstrated that newborns have increased sensitivity to pain when compared with older children and adults. Pain assessment and management is an important component in the overall care of the newborn infant and safe, effective analgesics are needed.

Pain assessment is complicated by the infants' verbal and cognitive limitations. Heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation are commonly monitored in the nursery in response to pain, yet these parameters are affected by handling, illness, medications, as well as by pain. Skin blood flow has been documented to increase in premature newborns undergoing painful procedures in the Newborn Intensive Care Nursery. In the present study, Laser Doppler Imager technology will be used to define changes in skin blood flow response to heel lance and oral sucrose administration in normal newborn infants.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
56
Inclusion Criteria
  • Informed consent from parent or legal guardian.
  • Term, newborn infant, between 1 and 7 days of age.
  • Appropriate for gestational age (weight 5th through 95th percentile).
Exclusion Criteria
  • Small or large for gestational age (weight<5th or >95th percentile).
  • Physical or biochemical abnormalities.
  • History of maternal drug dependence.
  • Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes.
  • Current use of analgesics.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1sucrose 24% oral solution2 ml sucrose 25% oral solution one time only dose by mouth
2sterile watersterile water 2 ml one time only dose given by mouth prior to heel lance
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
skin blood flow response (perfusion units, PU)immediately prior to heel lance, at heel lance, 5 minutes post heel lance (3 time points)
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Heart rate10 minutes prior to heel lance, immediately prior to heel lance, at heel lance, 5 minutes post end heel lance
Blood pressure10 minutes prior to heel lance, 5 minutes after heel lance
Respiratory rate10 minutes prior to heel lance, immediatel prior to heel lance, at time of heel lance, 5 minutes post end heel lance
axillary temperature10 minutes prior to heel lance, immediately prior to heel lance, at time of heel lance, 5 minutes post end heel lance
oxygen saturation (SaO2)10 minutes prior to heel lance, immediately prior to heel lance, at time of heel lance, 5 minutes post end heel lance
Neonatal Infant Pain Score10 minutes prior to heel lance, immediately prior to heel lance, at time of heel lance, 5 minutes post end heel lance

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hutzel Women's University Hospital, The Detroit Medical Center

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Detroit, Michigan, United States

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