Randomised controlled trial showed that neonates received better pain relief from a higher dose of sucrose during venepuncture.

Aim: We compared the effect of two different doses of sucrose on neonatal pain scores during venepuncture.

Methods: This randomised crossover study focused on neonates born weighing more than 1000 g from December 2014 to June 2016, who received neonatal intensive care at two hospitals: one in Empangeni, South Africa, and one in Trondheim, Norway. During two consecutive venepuncture procedures, 27 neonates from South Africa and 26 neonates from Norway were randomised to receive 0.