Analgesic effect of expressed breast milk in neonates during venipuncture in comparison with formula and 50% dextrose

Background: Newborn infants routinely may undergo invasive procedures, even after uncomplicated birth. Evidence shows that neonates do feel pain and may even have increased sensitivity to pain and to its long term effects compared with older infants . Non pharmacologic interventions are valuable for pain relief during minor procedures in neonates. The aim of this study was to asses the effectiveness of expressed breast milk)EBM( in reducing pain due to venipuncture and its comparison with formula and 50% dextrose solution . Materials and Methods: A clinical trial study was conducted in 30 term neonates. Each infant received 3 treatments with EBM , formula and 50% dextrose solution during consecutive venus blood sampling and their responses were measured by behavioral acute pain rating scale for neonates (DAN Score ) . This study was done in form of double blind and observers were unaware of the prescribed matter. Results: This study showed that pain score significantly is lower in neonates who received EBM (P<0.001) .There was no statistical relationship between age , sex and weight with pain score . Conclusion : Expressed breast milk effectively reduces pain of venipuncture in term neonates and it could be natural, noninvasive and available analgesic particularly when mother can not be present to breastfeeding.