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[Growing pains are well-known, but the cause remains unclear]
Fie Brantbjerg Tinning1, Lise Hestbæk, Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen
1fietinning@gmail.com.
Insights
Growing pains are common in children, often affecting the legs. Research links these pains to vitamin D deficiency, low bone density, and other factors, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Musculoskeletal Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Growing pains are a frequent complaint in children, characterized by leg pain peaking in the evening and during sleep.
- Diagnosis relies on pain characteristics and clinical examination, with resolution occurring as the child matures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore potential contributing factors associated with growing pains in children.
- To synthesize current research regarding the etiology of pediatric growing pains.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research and clinical observations related to growing pains.
- Analysis of factors such as vitamin D levels, bone density, and pain thresholds.
Main Results:
- Growing pains are associated with vitamin D deficiency, low bone density, and a lower pain threshold.
- Restless legs syndrome and shorter breastfeeding duration (<40 days) are also suggested as potential risk factors.
Conclusions:
- While several factors are correlated with growing pains, the precise etiology is not yet definitively established.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of growing pains in children.
Abstract:
A common complaint from children is growing pains: a mild to severe pain located primarily in the legs and being most intense in evenings and during sleep. The diagnosis is based on the characteristics of the pain and careful clinical examination. The pain disappears as the child grows up. Research has suggested that the pain occurs more often in children who suffer from vitamin D deficiency, low bone density, low pain threshold, restless legs syndrome and in children who were breastfed for less than 40 days from birth. There are not yet any firm conclusions about the aetiology.