A Child's Pain: What Parents Can Do

Although progress has been made in understanding pain in infants and children, the youngest patients do not always receive the pain control they need, according the American Medical Association. The most common type of pain in children is acute or short-term pain, caused by injury, illness or medical procedures. Long-term or chronic pain, however, may affect as many as 20 percent of children, according to the National Pain Foundation, and may predispose these children to ongoing pain as adults. Pain can also disrupt treatment, slow healing and cause additional medical problems.

Newer Medications Have Less Severe Side Effects
Contributing to the under treatment of pain are beliefs by some that children, particularly infants, do not feel pain the same way adults do, and that pain builds character in children, as well as fears about the side effects of pain medications. Over the years, however, physicians and other health professionals have gained valuable experience in administering medications that can control pain without inducing constant drowsiness and/or drug dependence. “Pediatric pain is terrible to behold,” said Dr. Joshua Greenspan, Director of Pain Management in the Department of Anesthesiology at Long Island College Hospital. “I am asked to consult on the difficult pediatric pain cases at LICH. So many physicians are unaware of the appropriate use of pain medications. Most pain can be relieved with safe, conservative dosages of medication and increasing the dose until the child is comfortable.” Because managing pain often relies on the patient’s own evaluation of pain, children, especially younger children, are at a disadvantage. Parents, therefore, are being increasingly recognized as important participants in pain management for their children. Better communication between parents and healthcare professionals can also improve pain management. “At LICH, we maintain strong communication with the parents throughout their child’s treatment,” said Dr. Greenspan.

Parents Know Best How To Comfort Their Children
Pain that is untreated can make children afraid, anxious, depressed, irritable, and tired. Uncontrolled pain can also cause children to have trouble eating and sleeping, and to revert to immature, babyish behaviors. Dr. Greenspan offers parents some tips on how parents can help their children:
1) Touch is important, especially for younger children. Depending on the illness or injury and the type and extent of pain, holding, cuddling, massaging or gently rocking children can be comforting
2) Like other patients, children want and need information about what is going to happen to them. Parents can ease fears by explaining, in language that their child can understand, what procedures are going to be done and how the child might feel during and after a particular procedure. Parents can also encourage children to ask questions and express their feelings
3) Letting a child have some control over treatment, such as whether to sit or lie down to receive an injection, usually helps to reduce pain
4) Teaching children deep and steady breathing can help them gain a feeling of self control, and may help to ease fear, tension and pain.
5) Reading, video games, other forms of play, and just plain talking can be used as distractions to take a child’s mind off pain
6) Relaxation and imagery, such as imagining pain draining away or flying off, may also help
“Although a child’s imagination is a potent ally in dealing with pain, there is no legitimate reason to allow a child’s suffering to endure,” said Dr. Greenspan. “I have four children myself and it’s awful when your child is in pain. Helping parents and children at LICH with pain management is very rewarding work on a spiritual level.” If you think your child’s pain is not being adequately managed, talk to your child’s pediatrician or other healthcare professional caring for your child. Voice your concerns and ask if more can be done to control your child’s pain.

For additional health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact Long Island College Hospital’s free ASK A NURSE HOTLINE, Monday to Friday, from 9 am-5 pm, at 1-800-420-4004. We welcome your inquiries and guarantee your confidentiality.