Acute pain is one of the most common adverse stimuli experienced by childre
n, occurring as a result of injury, illness, and necessary medical procedur
es. It is associated with increased anxiety, avoidance, somatic symptoms, a
nd increased parent distress. Despite the magnitude of effects that acute p
ain can have on a child, it is often inadequately assessed and treated. Num
erous myths, insufficient knowledge among caregivers, and inadequate applic
ation of knowledge contribute to the lack of effective management. The pedi
atric acute pain experience involves the interaction of physiologic, psycho
logic, behavioral, developmental, and situational factors. Pain is an inher
ently subjective multifactorial experience and should be assessed and treat
ed as such. Pediatricians are responsible for eliminating or assuaging pain
and suffering in children when possible. To accomplish this, pediatricians
need to expand their knowledge, use appropriate assessment tools and techn
iques, anticipate painful experiences and intervene accordingly, use a mult
imodal approach to pain management, use a multidisciplinary approach when p
ossible, involve families, and advocate for the use of effective pain manag
ement in children.