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Pediatric pain: interacting behavioral and physical factors
L K Zeltzer1, R G Barr, P A McGrath
1Department of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine.
Pediatrics
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Understanding pediatric pain from a developmental viewpoint is crucial. This research highlights the need for multidisciplinary studies to improve pain assessment and treatment in children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pain Research
Background:
- Pediatric pain is understudied and undertreated.
- Maturation of physical, emotional, and cognitive systems impacts pain experience and expression in children.
- A developmental perspective is essential for understanding pediatric pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present key issues in the study of pediatric pain.
- To illustrate these issues using recurrent abdominal pain syndrome as a model.
- To advocate for a developmental approach in pediatric pain research and clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on pediatric pain.
- Case illustration using recurrent abdominal pain syndrome.
- Discussion of multidisciplinary research approaches.
Main Results:
- Recurrent abdominal pain syndrome exemplifies challenges in pediatric pain epidemiology, assessment, and intervention.
- Multidisciplinary research is vital for understanding pain pathways, expression, and contextual influences.
- A developmental framework is necessary for both clinical and nonclinical pediatric populations.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric pain requires a developmental lens for effective study and management.
- Multidisciplinary research advances understanding of pain development and context.
- The ultimate goal is to develop interventions reducing children's pain and disability.