Management of chronic pain in children

Children can experience many types of chronic pain caused by disease and injury such as cancer, arthritis, sickle-cell anaemia, haemophilia, neuralgia, accidental trauma, HIV infection, and burns. They can also develop chronic pain caused by anxiety, depression, and emotional distress associated with a prolonged illness. Most children who have chronic or recurrent types of pain cope quite well. However, there is a small group of children whose lives become significantly disrupted because of chronic pain. Inability to cope with pain may lead to disability. General treatment goals include increasing independent functioning; remediating specific symptoms, deficits, or problems revealed in a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment; enhancing effective communication; and facilitating more active problem solving skills. Depending on the results of the assessment, treatment might include a combination of cognitive strategies, behavioural techniques, family interventions, physical interventions, and pharmacological interventions.