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Pain Treatment in Pediatrics
Physical and psychological responses to pain not only affect children’s health directly, but also may predispose them to develop chronic pain in adulthood. The large number of available interventions may be a source of confusion when it comes to selecting the best for each child and situation. This section focuses on providing the most appropriate, cost effective, and evidence-based treatments, taking into account all components of the child’s pain experience. Researchers/reviewers: Winnie Dawson, MA, RN, BSN; Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD. Register for e-Notifications to be alerted via e-mail of when this section is updated.
By: Houghton KM. Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal. 2008 (Apr 9);6:6. Access checked 7/7/08.
This review of common causes of foot and ankle pain in children is written for the family practitioner. Following a review of foot and ankle anatomy, the most effective assessment techniques are described in detail. In addition to useful methods for reproducing the pain, the author explains essential biomechanical evaluations of the patient’s gait, spine, hip, and knee. Five special tests are provided as additional methods of assessment. Overuse injuries, stress fractures, inflammatory disorders, plus several developmental and congenital conditions are described. A brief discussion of the prevalence of accessory bones — also called ossicles and considered to be normal anatomic variants — includes characteristic signs that indicate the presence of symptomatic changes in specific populations of children. The review does not include acute traumatic fractures; some recommendations for consultation with a specialist practitioner are provided.
From: eMedicine by WebMD. Authors: J. Ivan Lopez, MD; John F. Rothrock, MD. 10 pages. Updated June 2008. Access checked 7/7/08.
This eMedicine topic review begins with a brief discussion of the prevalence and classification of pediatric headache. Because migraine headache is the most common headache seen by the pediatric neurologist, a more detailed examination of the diagnostic criteria for migraine is presented. Secondary causes of headache and the rationale for neuroimaging in cases when an underlying structural pathology is suspected are discussed briefly. Recommendations are made for pharmacologic (abortive and prophylactic) and nonpharmacologic treatment of primary headache in children.
By: Bernstein RM, Cozen H. American Family Physician. 2007(Dec);76(11);1669-1676. Access checked 7/15/08.
This report reviews the common and uncommon epidemiological causes of pediatric back pain. While studies on back pain etiology in children who present to primary care practitioners are few, data from existing studies have demonstrated that a high percentage of pediatric patients with back pain will have identifiable underlying pathology. A table of acute and chronic pain symptoms, as well as an evaluation algorithm and techniques for the diagnostic testing for specific back disorders, will aid in the differential diagnosis of back pain in children and adolescents.
Pediatric Cancer Pain From: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN); 2007. 31 pages. Access checked 7/14/08.
The Pediatric Cancer Pain guideline is written in the same easy-to-use format as the NCCN adult guideline (above). Algorithms for screening, initial treatment, and follow-up treatment are presented. Additionally, there is a conversion table for fentanyl transdermal administration and a titration algorithm for both slow and rapid administration of short-acting opioids. A guide to reducing the pain and anxiety of procedure-related pain as well as the management of opioid adverse effects in children is included. The NSAID table contains information on risks of toxicity in pediatric patients.
By: Kimura Y, Walco GA. Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology. 2007;3(4);210-218. Access checked 7/10/08.
The pain associated with childhood rheumatic disease is common, but treatment guidelines for pediatric patients with rheumatic disease do not exist and management can be complicated. This report reviews the multiple mechanisms responsible for pediatric rheumatic pain and inflammation. Additionally, a summary of the important factors in pediatric rheumatic pain assessment precedes a discussion of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options. The authors suggest more aggressive pain therapy for patients with unmanaged chronic pain. A brief checklist of the biological, psychological, and social factors that could influence a child’s pain experience is included. Note: the CME activity associated with this report has expired.
From: American Academy of Family Physicians. July 2006. Access checked 7/7/08.
This 2-part report on pediatric musculoskeletal pain presents a synthesis of concepts reviewed at the American Academy of Family Physicians 2006 Annual Clinical Focus on care for children and adolescents. Part I of this report includes a basic algorithm of evidence-based diagnostic recommendations and a table of pain characteristics that differentiate benign conditions from serious musculoskeletal disorders in children. Part II provides a summary table of common pediatric rheumatic conditions with associated clinical and physical history findings for each pain disorder. The criteria for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed and nonrheumatic causes of musculoskeletal pain are examined briefly.
From: International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), 2006, 10 pages. Access checked 7/9/08.
Acute and chronic pain in children are frequently complicated by the complex psychological components of pain perception. In addition to the practical complications of treatment, emotional trauma is thought to predispose children to the development of chronic pain in adulthood. The authors of this report from IASP reviewed the evidence for effective interventions and found a high level of evidence for guided imagery, relaxation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy in acute pain, postoperative pain management, and chronic pain (including headache). Recommendations for future studies include interventions that can be implemented by the child or parents and, therefore, potentially becoming more practical and cost-effective options.
By: Tsao JCI, Zeltzer LK. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2005;2(2);149-159. Access checked 7/7/08.
With the increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children with chronic conditions, reviewers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in California evaluated the existing evidence for CAM interventions for pain symptoms in pediatric populations. CAM modalities — as reported in studies that treated chronic, acute, or procedural pain — were evaluated according to the American Psychological Division 12 Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures. Only one combined intervention, self-hypnosis/guided imagery/relaxation for recurrent pediatric headache, qualified as efficacious. Several treatments that were identified as promising interventions included: acupuncture for chronic pain, biofeedback for tension headaches, homeopathy for ear pain, and massage for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The authors reviewed the limitations of existing research and made recommendations for future investigations.
By: Zempsky WT, Cravero JP, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Pediatrics. 2004;114(5);1348-1356. Access checked 7/9/08.
This report considers both pain management and stress relief as vital components in the care of children with pain who enter acute care settings. The authors recommend a systematic approach to eliminating barriers to the effective management of pediatric pain and anxiety and achieving optimal patient comfort. Ethnic considerations related to the need to address cultural variations in pain perception and consistency of treatment are encouraged for each provider organization. Staff and procedural development, including an evaluation of employee bias and attitudes, should be assessed and revised as needed to improve pain and anxiety relief. Thorough attention to parental education on the administration of analgesic medications is encouraged.
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It is generally accepted that infants and children can and do feel pain comparable to that in adults. Research into the nature, assessment, and treatment of pediatric pain has grown rapidly, and numerous drug and non-drug interventions have been developed and tested in a variety of clinical populations and settings. However, inadequate prevention and relief of pediatric pain are still widespread.
For many additional pain in pediatrics topics of importance, see the following sections….
Review for the Generalist: Evaluation of Pediatric Foot and Ankle Pain
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