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Updated: Mar 3, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
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A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

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Managing Pediatric Pain in Low-Resource Emergency Settings: Barriers, Advances, and Future Directions

Mohammed Alaswad1, Eslam Abady2, Elsayed S Moubarak3

  • 1University of Hama, Syria.

Sage Open Pediatrics
|March 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric pain in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is often undertreated in emergency departments (EDs). This review covers established and innovative strategies to improve pain management for children in LMIC EDs.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Pediatric pain is frequently under-recognized and inadequately managed in emergency departments (EDs), especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • This under-management leads to significant physical and psychological harm in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current evidence on pediatric pain management in LMIC emergency settings.
  • To highlight established practices and emerging innovations in this field.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a narrative review of existing literature on pediatric pain management in LMIC emergency settings.
  • It examines both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, as well as new technological and workforce-based solutions.

Main Results:

  • Established approaches include analgesics (acetaminophen, NSAIDs, opioids) and non-pharmacologic methods (distraction, guided imagery, parental involvement).
  • Implementation barriers in LMICs include limited provider training, restricted access to analgesics, and cultural misconceptions.
  • Emerging innovations include task-shifting, digital/AI pain assessment tools, and community interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Improving pediatric pain care in LMICs requires a multifaceted strategy.
  • This includes culturally adapted tools, equitable access to analgesics, scalable non-pharmacologic interventions, and workforce development supported by technology.

Keywords:
developing countrieshealth educationpain managementpediatric emergencyresource-limited settings

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