Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex
06:04

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex

Published on: July 4, 2018

The management of pain in children with life-limiting illnesses

Stefan J Friedrichsdorf1, Tammy I Kang

  • 1Pain and Palliative Care, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, 2525 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA.

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|October 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Effective pain management for children with life-limiting illnesses is crucial but often challenging. This review addresses common obstacles, opioid use, neuropathic pain, and nonpharmacologic strategies for pediatric palliative care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Palliative Care
  • Pain Management
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Pain management in children with life-limiting illnesses presents unique complexities.
  • Ineffective pain control significantly impacts the child and family's quality of life.
  • Addressing pain is a critical component of pediatric palliative care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide practitioners with essential knowledge for managing pain in children with life-limiting conditions.
  • To review common myths and barriers to effective pediatric pain control.
  • To offer guidance on pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on pediatric pain management.
  • Discussion of pain pathophysiology.
  • Overview of opioid analgesia in children.
  • Exploration of neuropathic pain management.
  • Consideration of nonpharmacologic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Identified common obstacles and myths hindering adequate pain relief.
  • Summarized the pathophysiology of pain relevant to pediatric populations.
  • Provided an overview of opioid use and neuropathic pain management.
  • Highlighted the importance of multimodal pain management.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing pain management in children with life-limiting illnesses requires addressing systemic barriers and utilizing comprehensive strategies.
  • Effective pain control is fundamental to improving the overall well-being of these children and their families.
  • Further education and resources are needed to support practitioners in this complex area.

More Related Videos

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery09:38

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery

Published on: April 14, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Continuing Care01:25

Continuing Care

Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management01:23

Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management

During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care01:29

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care

The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management01:30

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management

Nursing management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is crucial for providing thorough care and support to patients. Nurses play an integral role in this process through detailed assessment, careful planning, targeted interventions, and ongoing evaluation. Here's an overview of the critical steps in nursing management for COPD.
Assessment
Nursing Ethical Principles II01:27

Nursing Ethical Principles II

Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...