That  Long needles 'cut injection pain' for babies

Having an injection is never a pleasant affair

Giving babies injections with shorter needles may be exposing them to unnecessary pain, according to research.

Many infants suffer minor reactions to the series of injections they are given at two, three or four months.

These include swelling, redness and tenderness near the injection site.

However, researchers from the Oxford Vaccine Group at John Radcliffe Hospital, found that babies given the same vaccinations using syringes with different length needles suffered very different reaction rates.

On average, for every five infants vaccinated, use of the longer needle instead of the shorter one would prevent one infant from experiencing any local reaction.

The research team wants manufacturers - who often supply the shorter needle in their vaccine packs - to review their policy.

As per , Dr Nigel Higson, from the Primary Care Virology Group , "What's important is to guarantee that the needle reaches the muscle, where the vaccine should be delivered.

"Obviously the longer needle is more suitable for that purpose." 

The research was reported in the British Medical Journal.  

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1. Speak up if you have questions or concerns. 

Choose a doctor who you feel comfortable talking to about your health and treatment. It’s okay to ask questions and to expect answers you can understand.

2. Keep a list of all the medicines you take. 

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about the medicines that you take, including over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and dietary supplements like vitamins and herbals.

3. Make sure you get the results of any test or procedure. 

Ask your doctor or nurse when and how you will get the results of tests or procedures. Call your doctor and ask for them. Ask what the results mean for your care.

4. Talk with your doctor and health care team about your options if you need hospital care. 

Hospitals do a good job of treating a wide range of problems. However, for some procedures (such as heart bypass surgery), research shows results often are better at hospitals doing a lot of these procedures.

5. Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery. 

Ask your doctor and surgeon: Who will take charge of my care while I’m in the hospital? Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses if you have allergies or have ever had a bad reaction to anesthesia. Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation.

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