Update on treatment of pediatric pain with surgical considerations

The assessment, treatment, and prevention of pediatric pain pose a special challenge to surgeons and others involved in the care of children. The experience of pain is subjective, and infants and many children are unable to verbalize their level of discomfort. Therefore, it is the responsibility of physicians and nurses to be educated and trained to identify nonverbal signs of pain and discomfort, anticipate the experience of pain associated with specific procedures and diagnoses, and initiate the appropriate use of analgesics as well as nonmedicinal strategies to relieve this pain.