Laughing gas may soothe painful tube insertion in toddlers

NCT ID NCT04008628

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

MILD TO MODERATE DEHYDRATION

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

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