American Academy of Pediatrics, American Pain Society Urge Better Treatment of Pain in Children

Because children "feel pain as much as adults," doctors should take more care to relieve pain resulting from injuries, illnesses and medical procedures, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Pain Society said yesterday in a joint policy statement. Doctors "have not done as much as they should to prevent or relieve" children's pain, in part because there is a misconception that children do not feel pain in the same way adults do, the statement says. The statement adds that doctors also may lack training to evaluate pain, may fear side effects of pain relievers and could believe that "pain builds character." The statement, which the groups have been working on since 1995, advises doctors to "re-evaluate their routines to better anticipate and assess pain in children, create a soothing environment in their offices and involve parents in preventive measures." In addition, the statement asks pediatricians to advocate child-specific pain management research and urges the FDA to examine pain relievers designed specifically for children. APS President Dr. Michael Ashburn, also director of pain programs at the University of Utah, said, "Children are needlessly suffering. Poorly treated pain following a procedure can lead to prolonged healing and make children at a higher risk for adverse side effects." Children lack the ability adults possess to "calm themselves when they feel pain," Ashburn added. Doctors have more options now to treat pain in children, including using thinner needles, lollipops that release anesthetics and glue instead of stitches, Dr. Joseph Zanga, chair of pediatrics at Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital of Loyola, Ill., said. Ashburn added that doctors could use a cream to numb a child's skin before blood is drawn. The statement appears in the September issue of Pediatrics (Kelly, AP/Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, 9/5). The statement is available online.