Observational Study of Pediatric Inpatient Pain, Nausea/Vomiting and Anxiety

Area of Science:

• Pediatric hospital medicine
• Childhood symptomology
• Clinical research

Background:

• The prevalence and severity of pain, nausea/vomiting, and anxiety (PNVA) in hospitalized children are not well-established.
• This study investigates PNVA in pediatric patients across oncology, general pediatrics, and cardiology services at a tertiary care center.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and severity of PNVA in hospitalized children.
• To compare PNVA symptoms and their co-occurrence across different pediatric clinical services.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study enrolled 496 hospitalized children whose caregivers consented.
• Symptoms of pain, nausea/vomiting, and anxiety were measured on weekdays using age-validated tools.
• Data were analyzed to compare prevalence and severity across oncology, general pediatrics, and cardiology services.

Main Results:

• Anxiety was the most frequently reported symptom (65.6%), followed by nausea (55.4%) and pain (52.0%).
• Mean severity scores were highest for anxiety (3.7/10), followed by nausea (3.2/10) and pain (3.0/10).
• While PNVA prevalence did not differ by service, pain and nausea severity were significantly lower in the oncology service.

Conclusions:

• Anxiety is the most prevalent and severe symptom experienced by hospitalized children.
• Oncology patients reported less severe pain and nausea compared to other services, with no significant difference in anxiety levels.
• PNVA symptoms frequently co-occurred, highlighting the need for comprehensive symptom management in pediatric hospital care.