Does Interval between Breastfeeding and Heel Lance Affect the Perception of Pain in Newborns?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the duration between breastfeeding and heel lance has an effect on babies' pain perception. Study Design: A randomised trial. Place and Duration of Study: Obstetrics & Gynecology Unit, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between August 2019 and February 2020. Methodology: Healthy term newborns who were scheduled for a heel lance blood collection for newborn screening were included in the study. Healthy term babies were randomised into three groups, according to their heel lance time. The procedure was performed immediately after breastfeeding (group 1), one hour after breastfeeding (group 2), and two hours after breastfeeding (group 3). The magnitude of pain was measured by the neonatal pain, agitation and sedation scale (N-PASS) one minute before intervention, at the time of intervention, and at 1, 2 and 5 minutes after the intervention. Total crying times of the babies was recorded as well. Results: Ninety-one babies were included in the study. The pain scores during heel lance and one and two minutes after heel lance were significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1 and group 2. Total crying time of the babies in group 3 was also significantly longer than the total crying time of the babies in group 1 and group 2. However, there was no significant difference between group 1 and 2 in terms of pain scores. Conclusion: The duration between breastfeeding and heel lance may influence the perception of pain in newborns. Keeping this period short, may reduce the perception of pain.