Methods of Pain Relief in Children Literature review

Methods of Pain Relief in Children - Literature review Example Research has shown that management of pain in children and infants is more often than not inadequate, despite evidence that pain in these age groups can be managed effectively and safely through proper dose adjustment and safe clinical practices. It is important to control pain in infants and children because of the unwanted and devastating consequences they have. Some evidence has shown that procedures performed in a neonatal period without proper control of pain can increase distress during future procedures like immunizations. In children, the memory of a bad experience on the first occasion of a procedure can increase the amount of pain and distress in subsequent procedures due to anxiety and anticipatory fear. Pain during procedures can lead to stress which can contribute to negative cognitive, social, physiological, psychological and emotional outcomes not only for their children but also for their family members. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, "the concepts of pain and suffering go well beyond that of simple sensory experience. It has emotional, cognitive and behavioral components as well as developmental, environmental and socio-cultural.† Thus, it is very important to manage pain in infants and children adequately and appropriately. Such an effective clinical practice is possible through "thorough current knowledge of analgesics, age-specific doses, appropriate routes of administration and possible side effects." Another important aspect of pain management in children is that only pharmacological pain management is ineffective and for successful pain relief, "a family-centered approach combining pharmacological methods with psychological and behavioral methods is needed for the optimum comfort of children ».