Laughing gas may soothe painful tube insertion in toddlers

NCT ID NCT04008628

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026

Summary

This trial investigates whether inhaling a 50/50 mix of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen can reduce pain when a nasogastric tube is placed in children aged 3 months to 3 years. The study includes children with mild to moderate dehydration from conditions like gastroenteritis or bronchiolitis. Pain is measured using a standard scale, and parents also report their own anxiety levels.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

50/50 nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture (Kalinox)

What this could lead to

If effective, this could offer a simple, fast-acting pain relief option for young children undergoing a common but uncomfortable emergency procedure.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study with only 23 participants, so results may not apply to all children. The gas may not reduce pain significantly, and side effects like nausea or dizziness are possible.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

agnosia bronchiolitis gastroenteritis Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Ambroise Paré hospital, Pediatric emergency department

    Boulogne-Billancourt, 92100, France

  • Louis Mourier Hospital, Pediatric emergency department

    Colombes, 92700, France

  • Poissy Hospital, Pediatric emergency department

    Poissy, Île-de-France Region, 78300, France

  • Trousseau Hospital, Pediatric emergency department

    Paris, Île-de-France Region, 75012, France