Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Pain Management

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: July 2002
Last Revision Date: July 2002

• What is pain?
• What causes pain?
• What is acute pain?
• What is chronic pain?
• Can children feel pain?
• What are signs that my child is in pain?
• How can children be treated for pain at home?
• What methods might doctors use?
• What if pain is not treated?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is pain?

• Pain is an unpleasant feeling.
• Pain can be both physical and mental.
• Everyone experiences pain differently.
• There are different kinds of pain. Pain may be described as aching, throbbing, pricking, dull, sharp, etc.
• Pain can be short and sudden or long-lasting.

What causes pain?

• When the body is injured or ill, special signals tell the brain that the body is feeling pain.
• Pain often serves as a warning. It tells us that something is wrong. Pain in a tooth, for example, could be a sign of a cavity.
• Pain can help protect the body, too. When a child touches something hot, the burning pain sets off a reflex and they pull their hand away before they are further hurt.

What is acute pain?

• Acute pain lasts for less than 2 weeks.

What is chronic pain?

• Chronic pain lasts at least 3 months.
• Chronic pain can be constant pain or pain that comes and goes.

Can children feel pain?

• Yes. Children and infants can feel pain. Even premature babies can feel pain.
• Children and babies can feel pain as much as adults can.
• Children do not usually remember painful experiences that happened to them when they were less than 2 years old. Children under 2 years old do not have fully formed memories.
• If your child needs a test or treatment, ask the doctor if it will be painful. What part of the body might hurt? How will pain be controlled?
• Before your child has a painful test or treatment at the doctor's office, help her prepare for it. Read "Preparing Your Child for Procedures" for suggestions.

What are signs that my child is in pain?

• Infants who can't yet tell you about their pain may give other signals. They may cry, make a face as if they are in pain, or they may have an increased heart rate.
• Children who are in pain may toss and turn or be unable to sleep.
• As children get older, you can teach them how to describe their pain.
• Doctors may ask children to rate their level of pain on a 0-10 scale. Pain increases as the numbers get higher. 0 is no pain, 5 is moderate pain, and 10 is very painful.

How can children be treated for pain at home?

• A hot or cold pack may help ease pain.
• Rocking and holding your child may help.
• Teach your child relaxation techniques. Have her breathe slowly and deeply while trying to relax her whole body.
• Distracting your child from the pain may help. Read her a story or watch a video with her.
• Giving acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) may help.
• Do not give your child aspirin without talking to a doctor first. Giving aspirin to children can cause serious illness.

What methods might doctors use?

• Doctors may give your child an anesthetic (pain numbing medication) before she has certain tests or treatments.
• Doctors may give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat pain.
• Doctors may also give prescription medication to treat pain, such as morphine.
• Doctors may give, or recommend giving, pain medication at set times, for example, every 4 hours. This method can sometimes help keep pain under control.
• Pain medication can be given in 4 ways: by mouth, into the blood (intravenous or IV), in the rectum, or in the muscle (by shot).
• If your child is staying in the hospital, caregivers may rock and hold her to help ease pain.
• Caregivers also may gently massage your child.

What if pain is not treated?

• Pain can slow down a child's recovery.
• Pain is easier to control if it is treated early. If pain is not treated right away, it is harder to control.

When should I call the doctor?

• If your child is in the hospital, tell the doctor right away if you think she is in pain. The sooner the pain is treated, the easier it is to control.
• Call the doctor if your child is in severe pain.
• If your child has pain that lasts for more than 3 days, call the doctor.
• Call your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment or condition.

Quick Answers

• Pain is an unpleasant feeling. It can be both physical and mental.
• When the body is injured or ill, special signals tell the brain that the body is feeling pain.
• Acute pain lasts for less than 2 weeks.
• Chronic pain lasts at least 3 months.
• Children and infants can feel pain. Even premature babies can feel pain.
• Look for signals that your child is in pain. She may cry, make a face as if she is in pain, or she may have an increased heart rate.
• You can treat your child's pain at home by giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Hot or cold packs also may help.
• Doctors may also give your child prescription medication to treat pain.
• Pain is easier to control if it is treated early. If pain is not treated right away, it is harder to control.
• If your child has pain that lasts for more than 3 days, call the doctor.

References

• Kennedy V. Pain Medications. MEDLINEplus. 2001 November 5 (cited 2002 June 17). URL: http;//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002123.htm
• Rutherford, K. The Truth About Pain. KidsHealth. 2001 August (cited 2002 June 17). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=130&article_set=23000
• University of Iowa Health Care. Helping Your Child with Pain Control. Children's Hospital of Iowa. (cited 2002 June 17).

See related Patient Topics Brain and Nervous System, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Pain, Symptoms and Manifestations or Teen Health.

See related Provider Topics Brain and Nervous System, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Pain, Symptoms and Manifestations or Teen Health.

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