NCT01293812

Brief Summary

Background : Previous studies suggest that early recognition and treatment of pain among children is important for their cognitive development and their future response to pain throughout their life. Oral sweet solutions have been accepted as effective pain reducing agents for procedures in the neonatal population. To date, there have been a limited number of published clinical trials in an emergency setting studying this type of intervention among infants and these studies have shown conflicting results. Objective : To compare the efficacy of an oral sucrose solution versus placebo in reducing pain in children 1 to 3 months of age during venipuncture in the Emergency Department (ED). Methods : A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial will be conducted in an urban tertiary care pediatric university-affiliated hospital ED. The study population is all infants from 1 to 3 months of age requiring venipuncture as part of their planned ED management. Study participants will be randomly allocated to receive 2 ml of a 88% sucrose solution or 2 ml of a placebo solution. The primary outcome measure is the difference in pain levels during the venipuncture in the study population as assessed by the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability Pain Scale (FLACC). Secondary outcome measures will evaluate differences of pain levels using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). Crying time and changes in heart rate during the procedure will be recorded. Side effects and adverse events will also be noted. The investigators will also measure the number of successful venipunctures at the first attempt. Based on previously reported data, using an alpha value of 0,05, a power of 90% and using a 2-point difference in mean FLACC scores as clinically significant difference, approximately 41 patients per group will be needed considering a drop-off value of 25%. Patients' characteristics and outcomes will be compared using the Pearson Chi-square test for categorical variables and the Student's T test for continuous variables. A intention to treat analysis will be performed.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
82

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_4 pain

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2011

Typical duration for phase_4 pain

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2011

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 10, 2011

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 11, 2011

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 1, 2013

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2013

Completed
Last Updated

December 22, 2015

Status Verified

December 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

February 10, 2011

Last Update Submit

December 21, 2015

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Difference in pain scores related to venipuncture in the study population as assessed by the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability Pain Scale before the administration of sucrose and one minute after the venipuncture

    one minute

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • The difference in pain scores using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS).

    one minute

Study Arms (2)

sucrose po

EXPERIMENTAL

88% sucrose solution (Syrup B.P.). The pharmacy will provide 2 syringes labeled "sucrose study" calculated to provide a 2 ml dose of a 88% sucrose solution.

Drug: 88% sucrose po solution

placebo po

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

The pharmacy will provide 2 syringes labeled "sucrose study" calculated to provide a 2 ml dose of a color, consistency- and odor-matched placebo to the sucrose solution in identical packagings (2 syringes per patient in the case the dose needs to be repeated).

Drug: placebo po

Interventions

88% sucrose solution (Syrup B.P.) The pharmacy will provide 2 syringes labeled "sucrose study" calculated to provide a 2 ml dose of a 88% sucrose solution or a color, consistency- and odor-matched placebo in identical packagings (2 syringes per patient in the case the dose needs to be repeated).

sucrose po

The pharmacy will provide 2 syringes labeled "sucrose study" calculated to provide a 2 ml dose of a solution or a color, consistency- and odor-matched placebo to the sucrose solution in identical packagings (2 syringes per patient in the case the dose needs to be repeated).

placebo po

Eligibility Criteria

Age1 Month - 3 Months
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Infants from 1 to 3 months (one month or more but less than 3 months old) of actual age (not corrected) requiring a venipuncture as a part of their planned ED management during weekdays from 9h to 17h.

You may not qualify if:

  • Preterm infants (i.e. born \< 37 weeks)
  • Acute respiratory illness
  • Chronic cardio-pulmonary condition
  • Assisted ventilation (such as tracheostomy or oxygen dependance)
  • Technology dependant (such as enteral feeding tube)
  • Developmental delay
  • Oropharyngeal malformation or dysfunction (such as cleft palate or micrognathia)
  • Metabolic disease
  • Previous participation in this study
  • Painful procedures in the preceding 60 minutes (bladder catheterization, vesical puncture, lumbar puncture, capillary blood tests)
  • Parental language barrier (French and/or English)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

CHU Ste-Justine

Montreal, Quebec, H3T1C5, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Serge Gouin, MDCM, FRCPC

    St. Justine's Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Asociate Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 10, 2011

First Posted

February 11, 2011

Study Start

February 1, 2011

Primary Completion

February 1, 2013

Study Completion

June 1, 2013

Last Updated

December 22, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-12

Locations