1 Pain response using NIPS score Show forest plot

2

81

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐1.84 [‐2.61, ‐1.06]

2 Pain response using PIPP score Show forest plot

1

60

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐2.46 [‐4.29, ‐0.63]

3 Cry within 60 seconds of the skin puncture Show forest plot

1

117

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.58 [0.41, 0.81]

4 Duration of first cry (seconds) Show forest plot

1

50

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐112.0 [‐163.99, ‐60.01]

5 First crying time/total procedure time (%) Show forest plot

1

50

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐65.0 [‐110.12, ‐19.88]

6 Number of neonates who cried during the procedure Show forest plot

2

110

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.58 [0.46, 0.74]

7 Maternal anxiety score prior to the procedure Show forest plot

1

27

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.80 [0.34, 1.26]

8 Infant's pain score as rated by the mother Show forest plot

1

27

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐0.80 [‐1.18, ‐0.42]

9 Sampling time (seconds) Show forest plot

2

110

Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

‐36.25 [‐75.56, 3.05]

10 Need for more than one skin puncture Show forest plot

4

254

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.30 [0.18, 0.49]

11 Need for more than two skin punctures Show forest plot

1

60

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

5.0 [0.62, 40.28]