EMLA® cream: A pain-relieving strategy for childhood vaccination

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA®) cream in reducing the pain associated with vaccination injections. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that included children who presented for routine immunization. Eligible children were randomly assigned to receive either EMLA® or placebo cream. The Modified Behavioural Pain Scale (MBPS) was used to assess baseline and postvaccination pain scores, while a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain at the time of the needle prick and at the end of the injection. Results: A total of 107 children were enrolled in the EMLA® group and 109 children in the placebo group. The difference between the pre- and postvaccination MBPS scores was significantly lower in the EMLA group than in the placebo group (2.56±1.96 versus 3.95±2.20, respectively). The VAS scores at the time of the needle prick and after the injection were significantly lower in the EMLA® group compared with the placebo group (1.60±1.67 versus 3.24±2.01; 3.29±2.27 versus 4.86±2.20; respectively). Conclusions: Application of EMLA® cream can be effectively incorporated as a routine painrelieving intervention within routine vaccination appointments. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.