Pain in Infants and Children

Sick and preterm newborns and hospitalized infants and children are especially vulnerable to pain. Vulnerabilities relate to repeated painful procedures required during hospitalizations, immature developmental stages, parental separation, lack of known effective pain treatment at different ages, and, where evidence exists, lack of consistent use of the evidence. In addition, this population is at risk of long-term pain consequences, including fear and anxiety related to needles and medical care. Reducing the burden of pain and involving parents in pain care are priorities for reducing vulnerabilities in newborns and young children. When painful procedures are required, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin, and small volumes of sweet solutions are recommended for newborns and young infants. Facilitating the use of effective distraction techniques and applying topical anesthetics are recommended for young children. The social communication model of pain and the model of parent involvement in infant pain management are used to understand pain from a biopsychosocial perspective.