Management of pain in children: a review of the literature

• Published in: Nigerian journal of medicine Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 363
• Main Authors: Elusiyan, J B E, Senbanjo, I O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria 01-10-2005
• Subjects: Analgesics - administration & dosage; Child; Humans; Pain - drug therapy; Pain - physiopathology; Pain Management; Pain Measurement
• ISSN: 1115-2613

Pain is a very common situation encountered in clinical practice. It is as common in children as in adults and often it is underevaluated and undertreated. The aim of this review is to stimulate and sensitize paediatricians and other child health care providers to the importance and necessity of adequate appreciation, evaluation, and management of pain in children.
Review of the pertinent literature. Selected references to highlight the mechanism of pain, pain assessment tools and therapeutic approach to management, were included in this review.
Pain in children is underevaluated and undertreated. This is so even in developed countries. A study put the prevalence of pain among children at 26%, and that two out of every three patients with pain were not detected, and that one out of three patients detected received no treatment. Popular dogma held that the human child does not feel pain and that giving the child powerful analgesics may lead to addiction. Despite the availability of several pain assessment tools, they are under used in paediatric practice. Pain pathways develop in the second trimester, so the smallest neonate is able to respond to noxious stimulation.
Childhood pain is still underevaluated and under treated. The adequate management of pain in children is an important factor in better outcome of childhood illnesses.