The assessment and management of acute pain in infants, children, and adolescents

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.