Can a numbing cream soothe baby vaccine pain?
NCT ID NCT01802086
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether Emla cream, a numbing cream, can reduce pain in 3-month-old babies during their first pneumococcal vaccination. 72 healthy babies were randomly given either Emla cream or a placebo cream before the shot. Pain was measured using a standard scale (FLACC) and crying time. The goal was to see if the cream makes vaccination less painful.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Emla cream (lidocaine and prilocaine topical anaesthetic)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a simple way to reduce pain for babies during routine vaccinations.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study with 72 infants, so results may not apply to all babies or other vaccines. The pain reduction may be modest.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Healthcare center Mariefred/Strängnäs
Mariefred, 64723, Sweden