Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
09:18

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants

Published on: December 20, 2011

Pediatric pain, trauma, and memory

M S Steward1, J O'Connor

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento 95817.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|August 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

This review explores new research on childhood pain and trauma, covering pain expression, management, memory, and the effects of witnessing harm or disasters. It highlights connections between pain, trauma, and memory in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Trauma Studies
  • Pain Research

Background:

  • Childhood pain and trauma are significant public health concerns.
  • Understanding the multifaceted nature of these experiences is crucial for effective intervention.
  • Existing research highlights the need for a comprehensive review of recent advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current research on childhood pain and trauma.
  • To examine the expression, measurement, and management of pain in children.
  • To explore the psychological impact of witnessing pain and experiencing disasters.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of studies on pain perception and memory.
  • Examination of research on trauma, disaster, and their relation to pain.

Main Results:

  • Research covers pain expression, measurement, and management strategies.
  • Studies investigate recurrent abdominal pain and memory of medical procedures.
  • Impact of witnessing others' pain and experiencing disasters is analyzed.

Conclusions:

  • Pain, trauma, and memory are intricately linked in childhood experiences.
  • Further research is recommended to advance understanding and clinical practice.
  • Integrated approaches are needed for addressing complex pediatric pain and trauma issues.

More Related Videos

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies01:37

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies

Published on: February 9, 2024

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Traumatic Memory01:20

Traumatic Memory

Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
Repressed Memory01:16

Repressed Memory

Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory01:23

Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory

Neurotransmitters are integral to the brain's communication system, enabling neurons to transmit signals across synapses. This chemical exchange underpins various cognitive functions, including memory processes. The role of neurotransmitters in memory is multifaceted, influencing the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of memories through their action on different neural circuits.
 Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...
False Memories01:18

False Memories

False memories represent a cognitive distortion in which individuals recall events that did not happen, or remember them in an altered form. This phenomenon highlights the brain's constructive nature in processing and recalling memories, emphasizing that memory is not a perfect representation of past events but rather a dynamic reconstruction influenced by various factors.
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information with...
Amnesia01:13

Amnesia

Amnesia is a condition marked by long-term memory loss, which impairs the ability to recall past events or create new memories.
The severity and duration of memory loss vary depending on the type and underlying cause. Amnesia is classified into two main types: retrograde and anterograde.
Retrograde amnesia is marked by the loss of memories formed before the onset of the condition. Patients may recall distant past events but often forget those occurring shortly before the incident.
Anterograde...