Administration of oral sucrose to reduce immunization-induced pain anddistress for infants one to eighteen months of age

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends childhood immunization as one of the necessary preventive health measures to reduce the chance of contracting infectious diseases in children. Despite the proven benefits, immunization is associated with pain and management of immunization-induced pain has been neglected in current local practice.

Administration of oral sucrose is found to be an effective pain-relieving intervention during routine immunizations as evidenced by seven systematic reviews. This simple intervention is encouraged to be carried out during routine immunizations in community settings such as Maternal and Child Health Centres in Hong Kong. Evidence-based practice guidelines and implementation plans are set up in carrying out the new practice. Stakeholders are identified with communication strategies noted. In addition, pilot testing and evaluation are also necessary to improve the new practice. It is expected that the implementation of the intervention can bring about obvious positive outcomes for infants, parents, nurses and the health care system by means of reducing infants’ pain and distress during routine immunizations.