Tahneek - Relief of Pain for the Newborn : Medical History

crystalclear · Tahneek - Relief of Pain for the Newborn : Medical History

Tahneek - Relief of Pain for the newborn
RELIEF OF PAIN: A MEDICAL DISCOVERY

It is a long-established custom among Muslim parents to put a piece of
well-chewed date (or other available sweet fruit) in the mouth of a
newborn baby. Muslims do this following the practice of the Prophet
Muhammad, upon him be peace, believing him to be, as the Qur'an says,
sent as a healing and a mercy to mankind. We may infer from the way
this custom originated that there is a virtue in it. There is -
complimentary to the virtue and pleasure of following the Sunnah (the
practice of the Prophet(PBUH) ) - placing a `sugary substance' inside
the mouth of a new-born baby dramatically reduces pain sensation and
heart rate.

An interesting scientific medical study, published in the British
Medical Journal (No. 6993, 10 June 1995), proved beyond any doubt the
benefit of giving a new-born child sugar, in order to reduce the
feeling of any painful procedure like heel pricking for a blood sample
or before circumcision.

The study, entitled `The analgesic (pain killing) effect of sucrose in
full term infants: a randomised controlled trial', was done by Nora
Haouari, Christopher Wood, Gillian Griffiths and Malcolm Levene in the
post-natal ward in the Leeds General Infirmary in England.

60 healthy infants of gestational age 37-42 weeks and postnatal age of
1-6 days, were randomised to receive 2ml of one of the four solutions:
12.5% sucrose, 25% sucrose, 50% sucrose, and sterile water (control).

The first group of 30 babies received sugar syrup before a routine
blood test (heel pricking, which is usually painful) done to detect
jaundice. The other 30 babies were given only sterile water as a
control group.

Placing 2ml of a 25% or 50% sucrose solution on the tongue before
pricking the heel significantly reduced the crying time, compared to
babies who got water. Also, their heart rate returned to normal more
quickly. The stronger sugar solution had the greater effect, crying
being reduced further with increasing concentration of sucrose. From
which we may conclude that sucrose (sugar) placed on the tongue may
bee a useful and safe form of analgesia for use with newborn infants.

Blass and Hoffmeyer also showed that 12% solution of inter-oral
sucrose significantly reduced the duration of crying in new-born
babies subjected to heel pricking or circumcision. This study was
reported in The Independent newspaper (Friday 9 June 1995) as well as
in the British Medical Journal article.

The practice of the Prophet, peace be upon him, is recorded in the
collections of his sayings and reports about him, of which the most
revered are the two Sahih collections of Bukhari and Muslim:

Abu Buradah(ra) reported from Abu Musa(ra), who said: `I had a
new-born baby; I took him to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace
and blessings, who called him Ibrahim. The Prophet(saw) chewed a date
then he took it and rubbed the inside of the baby's mouth with it.'

There are many other reported incidents like this one.

The date contains a very high percentage of sugar (70-80%); it has
both fructose and glucose which have high calorific values, it is
easily and quickly digestible, and very helpful to the brain. The date
contains 2.2% protein, vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2 ad nicotruic acid
(against Pellagra); it has traces of minerals needed for the body such
as potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper. Potassium, of
which percentage is very high, has been found to be very effective for
cases of haemorrhage, such as the occasions of birth or circumcision.

We may note that the Sunnah also commends dates for the breaking of
the fast in Ramadhan. Dates should be eaten, if available, before the
sunset prayer - this is medically and nutritionally the best way and
the Sunnah.

The great worth of dates is also indicated in a famous and beautiful
passage of the Qur'an, surah Maryam, verses 25-6:

And shake towards you the trunk of the palm-tree and it will drop on
you fresh ripe dates. So eat and drink and be comforted.

This was the prescription of Allah, the Creator, for the blessed
Maryam(a.s.) at the time of the birth of Eesa(a.s.) Jesus, the blessed
Prophet(as) of Allah(swt). It was a prescription to make the delivery easy
and comfortable.

As in the example , we believe further research will confirm for those
who still doubt the full worth and truth, the wisdom, of the teachings
of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

We shall show them our signs on he furthest horizons and within
themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Is it
not sufficient that your Lord is witness over all things? (Qur'an
Fusilat, 41.53)

As the authors of the medical study referred to intend trying new
sugary or sweet substances, we shall recommend that they try dates for
the newborn for the relief of pain.

Finally, we hope Muslim medical scientists and researchers take this
new discovery on board, and that many more ideas and practices in the
teaching of Islam needing investigative research and objective,
scientific study will get the attention they deserve.

Courtesy: Al-Islaah