Efficacy of expressed breast milk in reducing pain during ROP screening--a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of expressed breast milk (EBM) on neonatal pain during screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: Neonates who were on oral feeds undergoing ROP screening were included. Babies were randomized into intervention group (EBM + Standard practice) and control group. The standard practice is proparacaine, nesting and swaddling. Pain was assessed by PIPP scale, during and at 1 and 5 min after the procedure by the principal investigator who was blinded.

Results: The groups were similar in baseline characteristics. The group receiving EBM had significantly lower PIPP scores during the procedure 12.7 ± 1.69 compared to the control group 15.5 ± 1.78 (p < 0.05). The beneficial effect persisted at 1 min and 5 min after the procedure 6.20 ± 1.9 vs. 12.4 ± 2.54 (p ≤ 0.05) at 1 min; 3.2 ± 1.5 and 6.85 ± 2.4 (p < 0.05) at 5 min.

Conclusion: Oral EBM significantly reduces pain during and after ROP screening.

Keywords: expressed breast milk; premature infant pain profile scale: PIPP; retinopathy of prematurity; screening.