sucrose for sedation

littleneoRN · Dec 4, 2009

Definitely not for sedation in our unit. It is only to be used for short, mildly painful procedures and only for certain babies (e.g. > 28 weeks gestation, must be tolerating feedings, etc)

Love_2_Learn · Dec 10, 2009

t has a very high osmolarity which can lead to intestinal problems like NEC. This is a main reason it is not to be used for NPO or the smaller preemie babies or in excess. It is for mild pain, not sedation, and the effects last about 15 minutes.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 11, 2009

We have, on occasion in our unit, used it for a withdrawing baby that is absolutely inconsolable with anything else (swing, sling, swaddling, paci, bouncy seat, and meds), a few drops at a time with an NP order. It's pretty rare that we have to resort but it does sometimes work when nothing else will.

KatRNC · Dec 28, 2009

I haven't looked at the Sweet Ease site in a while, but the last time I looked, it said .1 to .4ml administered into cheek. The baby doesn't get enough to get to the gut, if it is given that way, right? I'm asking a question here, people... This is an ongoing issue where I work.

chescat58, RNC-NIC · Dec 28, 2009

We use it for procedural pain only. IE shots, heel sticks, IV sticks, circs. It is not for sedation or for cranky babies.

KatRNC · Dec 28, 2009

I wonder... is cpap considered a painful procedure? How about chest tubes? How do you help those baby's with the pain?

KatRNC · Dec 28, 2009

(Oh, and I don't mean chest tube insertion, I mean chest tubes in place, ok?)

soprano3 · Dec 28, 2009

Babies with chest tubes in place are usually on something stronger, ie: morphine

NJNICUCCRN · Dec 29, 2009

we use sucrose for minor painful procedures ie IV sticks, heel sticks, circs. WE do NOT give it to NAS babies though because it can alter your Finnegan scores

chescat58, RNC-NIC · Dec 29, 2009

I wonder... is cpap considered a painful procedure? How about chest tubes? How do you help those baby's with the pain?

I woiuld think this would warrent sedation/pain med ie morphine, versed, fentanyl, valium

littleneoRN · Dec 30, 2009

Sweet-ease has a relatively short period of effect and shouldn't be given more than 8 times per day. IMHO, a baby with chest tubes should be getting something stronger and longer than sweet-ease! We typically use morphine or something similar if intubated or a lesser dose of morphine or tylenol if not intubated. We generally don't medicate for CPAP but occasionally use prn Ativan if necessary.