sucrose for sedation

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)

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.