The management of pain in children with life-limiting illnesses

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007 Oct;54(5):645-72, x. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2007.07.007.

Abstract

The management of pain in children with life-limiting illnesses is complex and unfortunately not often done effectively. Pain is a multidimensional symptom that can overshadow all other experiences of both the child and family. This article focuses on topics common to practitioners caring for children with lifelimiting illnesses, including a review of myths and obstacles to achieving adequate pain control, a review of the pathophysiology of pain, an overview of the use of opioids in children, an approach to the management of neuropathic pain, and a brief discussion of nonpharmacologic pain management strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease*
  • Codeine / therapeutic use
  • Fentanyl / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydromorphone / therapeutic use
  • Ketamine / therapeutic use
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Morphine / therapeutic use
  • Nociceptors / physiology
  • Oxycodone / therapeutic use
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Ketamine
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Methadone
  • Fentanyl
  • Codeine