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Pain expression in children with an intellectual disability
Amandine Dubois1, Xavier Capdevila, Sophie Bringuier
1Université Montpellier 3, EA 4425, Centre de Ressources Autisme L-R, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Montpellier, France. a-dubois@chu-montpellier.fr
European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|December 8, 2009
Summary
Children with intellectual disability (ID) show different pain behaviors based on their ability to communicate. Non-verbal children with ID may display atypical pain expressions requiring individualized care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Children with intellectual disability (ID) often cannot verbalize pain.
- Caregivers rely on observable behaviors to assess pain intensity in non-verbal children.
- Understanding behavioral pain expression is crucial for accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine behavioral pain expression in children with ID in a surgical setting.
- To compare pain expression in children with ID to typically developing peers.
- To investigate the influence of communication abilities on pain expression.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive and exploratory study design.
- Inclusion of 30 children with ID (ages 5-18) in a surgical context.
- Matching participants with typically developing children based on chronological and developmental age.
Main Results:
- Expressive communication level significantly influenced pain expression.
- Verbalizing children with ID showed normative pain behaviors, similar to same-developmental-age peers.
- Non-verbal children with ID exhibited atypical, non-communicative pain behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Pain expression varies significantly between verbal and non-verbal children with ID.
- Individualized pain management is essential for children with ID.
- Accurate assessment and treatment of pain in non-verbal children with ID are critical to avoid under-treatment.
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