A new method of pain relief for newborns has recently been introduced to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Department of Neonatology.

This method is based on giving sugar dissolved in water to premature and full-term babies a few minutes before performing simple procedures, such as vaccinations and injections, blood tests, insertion of IV, and lumbar puncture. This method is based on a series of studies conducted around the world that showed a drop in expressions of pain among newborns who received sugar before undergoing a painful procedure.

One study proving this theory was conducted in a children's hospital in Leeds, England. The study examined 60 children who were divided into four groups - one was given water, and three groups were given solutions containing varying levels of sugar. The researchers took blood from each group and checked their level of crying and their heart rate one, three and five minutes after the prick. They found the shortest cry and most gradual rise in heart rate amongst the newborns, who were given a 25%-30% sugar solution (i.e. 25-30 grams of sugar for every 100 milliliters of water).

The Lis Maternity Hospital gives newborns several drops of a concentrated sugar solution (depending on the weight of the baby) through a syringe or pacifier dipped in the solution. The solution is prepared once a day by dissolving 30 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters of distilled water and heating it. The solution is administered by a nurse 2-5 minutes before the medical procedure.