Topical Anesthesia Versus Distraction for Infants' Immunization Distress: Evaluation With 6-Month Follow-Up

Abstract

Topical anesthetic and distraction are effective pain management techniques, yet they have not been fully evaluated for infants. Eighty-four 1-year-olds undergoing immunizations were randomized to distraction, topical anesthetic, or control. The 42 infants who returned for their 18-month injections were evaluated for long-term treatment gains. An observational scale revealed that infants demonstrated lower distress with distraction than topical anesthetic or control during the recovery phase of the injection at 12 months, and parents and nurses rated infants as more distressed at 12 than 18 months. Distress measures were positively associated across time.