Gentle Human Touch (GHT) may Potentiate the Analgesic Efficacy of Topical Anesthetic and other Non-Pharmacological Measures During Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening; A Prospective Study

Background: There is a global increase in the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). As the most common cause of childhood blindness, a routine screening protocol was established for preterm neonates, in which unfortunately, the screening process involves several painful interventions.Aim of work: Comparing the analgesic efficacy of oral 10% dextrose, breast milk, and sterile water with or without gentle human touch (GHT) during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening.Patients and methods: 90 preterms undergoing ROP screening were divided into groups: EBM (n = 30) (GI), 10% dextrose (n = 30)(GII) or sterile water (n = 30) (GIII), a minute before examination. Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) was assessed before and after GHT.Results: Saturation was statistically significant between GI and GIII (P=0.000) and between GII and GIII (P=0.025) before GHT. After GHT Peak heart rate and increase in heart rate from baseline were statistically significant between G(I) and G(III) (P=0.000), between G(I) and G(II) regarding increase in heart rate (P=0.000) and between G(II)and (III) regarding peak heart rate (P=0.019). Mean PIPP was significant for individual group (P = 0.000) before and after GHT.Conclusions: GHT and a topical anesthetic potentiate the analgesic efficacy of non-pharmacological measures during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening.