Nasal spray brings pain relief for children treated in the emergency department
A pain treatment delivered by nasal spray offers an effective, needle-free option for children being seen in emergency departments for a range of injuries, according to research presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress.
A pain treatment delivered by nasal spray has shown promising results in providing rapid and effective relief for children suffering from moderate to severe pain in emergency departments, according to research presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress. Researchers from Sheffield Children's Hospital, the University of Sheffield, and Sheffield Hallam University conducted the study, which involved 152 children aged 1 to 17 with injuries such as fractures, dislocations, burns, or soft tissue damage.
The treatment involved administering a combination of sufentanil and ketamine via a nasal spray, with the dosage adjusted according to each child's weight. After 15 minutes, 54% of the children experienced reduced pain, and by 30 minutes, 88% reported less pain, with 86.2% having roughly halved their pain levels. Side effects were mild, including nausea, dizziness, and nasal itching.
The nasal spray is currently being evaluated for the European Medicines Agency's pediatric-use marketing authorization scheme, with the goal of making the treatment available in Europe in the near future. The study's findings offer a simple and effective pain relief option for children in emergency departments, addressing the underrecognition and undertreatment of pain in this population.
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