Oral Sucrose for Heel Lance Increases Adenosine Triphosphate Use and Oxidative Stress in Preterm Neonates

A single dose of oral sucrose, given before heel lance, significantly increased ATP use and oxidative stress in premature neonates. Because neonates are given multiple doses of sucrose per day, randomized trials are needed to examine the effects of repeated sucrose administration on ATP degradation, oxidative stress, and cell injury.