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Opioids for Pediatric Pain Management

R V Hridya1, M G Geeta2, P Geetha2

  • 1Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala. Correspondence to: Dr RV Hridya, Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala. rv.hridya@yahoo.co.in.

Indian Pediatrics
|February 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Opioids effectively manage moderate to severe pain in children, with most experiencing pain relief within 72 hours. While adverse effects were noted, they were generally not severe, indicating safe use in pediatric pain management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pain Management
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Efficacy Studies

Background:

  • Effective pain management in children is crucial for recovery and well-being.
  • Opioids are potent analgesics but require careful consideration of efficacy and safety in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of opioid therapy for moderate to severe pain in children.
  • To assess the incidence and nature of adverse effects associated with opioid use in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive study involving 100 children under 15 years with moderate to severe pain.
  • Assessment of opioid response and adverse effects at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-administration.

Main Results:

  • 81% of children with moderate pain and 78.9% with severe pain responded to opioids within 72 hours.
  • Children with severe non-malignant pain showed faster opioid response (80% at 48 hours) compared to those with malignant pain (11.1% at 24 hours).
  • Higher incidence of adverse reactions in severe pain (73.7%) versus moderate pain (30.9%).

Conclusions:

  • Opioids can effectively manage moderate to severe pain in children, regardless of malignant or non-malignant origin.
  • The study suggests that opioids can be used safely in pediatric pain management, with manageable adverse effects.
Abstract

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