Sara Belandžić, Ivan Šklebar

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.64332/ujbb.2.2.4

Abstract
Background: Venipuncture is a common paediatric procedure often associated with pain and fear. Inadequate pain management can cause distress, poor cooperation, and avoidance of future medical procedures. Topical anaesthetics such as EMLA cream offer a simple, non-invasive method of pain relief.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of topical EMLA cream on children’s pain and fear during venipuncture.

Methods: This single-centre, prospective, non-randomised comparative study was conducted at the Children’s Hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia, from October to December 2024. A total of 104 children aged 7–10 years requiring venipuncture were included. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 52) or the control group (n = 52) based on parental consent for topical anaesthetic use. Pain intensity after venipuncture was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, 0–10), and fear was self-rated before the procedure on a numerical scale from 0 to 10. Data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Children who received EMLA reported significantly lower pain scores (mean VAS 2.1 ± 1.2) compared with controls (4.8 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). Pre-procedural fear showed a moderate positive correlation with pain intensity (ρ = 0.45, p < 0.01). No significant sex differences were found.

Conclusions: Topical EMLA cream effectively reduces procedural pain in children during venipuncture. Addressing both pain and fear is essential for a comprehensive and compassionate approach to paediatric care.

Keywords: venipuncture, children, pain, EMLA, local anaesthetic, non-randomised comparative study