Topical Amethocaine Gel for Intramuscular Injection in Term Neonates

Overview

This study will examine the efficacy of topical amethocaine gel (Ametop) in decreasing the pain response in term neonates subjected to intramuscular injection for administration of vitamin K. Study Hypothesis: We believe that topical amethocaine gel will be superior to placebo in decreasing the pain from intramuscular injection in term neonates.

Full Title of Study: “Local Anaesthesia [Topical Amethocaine Gel (Ametop)] for Intramuscular Injection in Term Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: December 2004

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial will assess the efficacy of topical amethocaine gel (Ametop) compared with placebo (Eucerin plus) in decreasing the pain response in term neonates subjected to intramuscular injection for administration of vitamin K. Neonatal pain response between groups will be assessed using the Neonatal Facial Action Coding System (NFCS) which is currently the gold standard for infant pain assessment, latency to first cry and cry duration. Parents' (father) perception of infant's pain will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) when possible. Neonates will be randomized to receive either amethocaine gel or identical appearing placebo administered locally at the injection site (the upper part of the neonate's thigh) using a pre-prepared syringe 30 minutes prior to the administration of vitamin K. The gel or placebo will be covered using a Saran wrap. Each neonate will be videotaped during the procedure. Parents (father) will be present during the procedure (observing) so that they (he) can assess their neonate's pain response using VAS.

Interventions

  • Drug: Eucerin plus
    • 1g, single application
  • Drug: Amethocaine gel 4%
    • 1 g, single application

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Amethocaine gel 4% Group
    • 1 g of topical amethocaine gel 4%
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo Group

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Pain Scores Assessed by Neonatal Facial Action
    • Time Frame: For the purpose of analysis IM injection procedure was divided into 4 phases: baseline , cleansing, injection and recovery phases.. For each phase facial actions were scored for the first 20 seconds or less if the phase lasted < 20 seconds.
    • The presence or absence of 3 facial actions (brow bulge, eyes squeeze and deepening of the nasolabial furrow) were scored in 2 second intervals for the first 20 seconds (or less if the phase lasted < 20 seconds) of each procedure phase from the videotapes by a trained research assistant. The data were then collapsed for each facial action into the percentage of time the infant expressed the action. An overall pain score was computed by summing the percentage scores for the three facial actions and then dividing by three. The score ranged from 0% to 100% with higher values suggesting more pain.

Secondary Measures

  • Visual Analogue Scale
    • Time Frame: During the entire procedure
    • Parents and nurses were asked to assess the infant’s pain response during the procedure using Visual analogue scale (VAS) on an unmarked horizontal 10 cm continuous line where 0=”no pain” on the left side and 10=”worst possible pain” on the right side. Parents and nurses were trained to use the VAS prior to the IM injection.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

1. Term neonates > 37 weeks and 2. Birth weight > 2500 grams (appropriate for gestational age – AGA) - Exclusion Criteria:

1.Neonates with major congenital anomalies 2.Neonates with known neurological abnormalities (antenatally diagnosed) 3.Neonates who require admission to the neonatal intensive care unit at birth -

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: N/A

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
  • Collaborator
    • Striving for Excellence Fund, Mount Sinai Hospital
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Vibhuti Shah, Staff Neonatologist – Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Vibhuti S Shah, MD, FRCPC, Principal Investigator, MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL

Citations Reporting on Results

Shah VS, Taddio A, Hancock R, Shah P, Ohlsson A. Topical amethocaine gel 4% for intramuscular injection in term neonates: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Clin Ther. 2008 Jan;30(1):166-74. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2008.01.018.

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