Publication:

Impact of non-pharmacological pain management technique on physiological parameters and duration of cry among neonates while undergoing heel prick

Background Neonatal heel pricks cause distress, necessitating effective pain management. Minimizing pain is an ethical responsibility of healthcare providers, ensuring both comfort and compassionate care for neonates. This study evaluates 25% dextrose and expressed breast milk for pain relief by assessing vital parameters and crying duration.

Methods Quasi-experimental study was conducted among 14 neonates and assigned to two groups i.e. dextrose group (n=7) received 2 ml of 25% glucose, while the expressed breast milk group (n=7) was given 2 ml of expressed breast milk, administered two minutes before the heel prick procedure. Physiological parameters were assessed using physiological assessment proforma at baseline and following the heel prick procedure. Bio-physiological assessment proforma was validated with reliability coefficients of 0.80.

Results The mean birth weight of neonates was 2920±430 g. The expressed breast milk group had a significantly higher respiratory rate (55.43±2.22 versus 46.57±3.59, p<0.01) and heart rate (150.86±7.01 versus 136.86±3.43, p<0.01) compared to the dextrose group. Oxygen saturation remained similar between both groups (p=0.12). Similarly, 25% dextrose significantly reduced duration of crying compared to the breast milk group. A positive correlation was also observed between heart rate and respiratory rate (0.68, <0.01*) whereas negative correlation was observed between heart rate and oxygen saturation (-0.53, 0.051).

Conclusions The study demonstrates that 25% dextrose more effectively stabilized the physiological parameters with less crying duration than expressed breast milk while undergoing heel prick.