Children: The End of Tears?

The management of body pain in children is only beginning to enter the normal practice of medicine who until recently regarded as little or not sensitive. Despite constant efforts, paediatricians require more time and staff to be really effective.

Children and infants feel pain, at least as much and perhaps more than adults, and should be relieved, even for small operations. This seems obvious but it's actually a finding that medicine has made recently. In fact, until the mid-80s, scientists believed that the nervous system of newborns is not developed enough to convey painful information. Now it is, however, acknowledged that early exposure to pain leaves an indelible mark which aggravates all the painful sensations felt in the future. The injustice suffered by children cope with the pain no longer has any purpose.

Pain unknown
If the pain of children is known scientifically, it is not always well supported, including lack of adequate treatment. There is indeed little pediatric versions, lower dose and easier to administer. Recognizing the importance of this issue, Bernard Kouchner had provided in its three-year plan to fight against the pain launched in 1998 to convince the major laboratories embarking on this path.

Few treatments tailored
Besides the shortage of appropriate drugs, the management of pain the child faces the unresolved problem of the evaluation. "An infant or young child who does not speak, can express his grief by crying and a big noise but we now know a sad child and may still be in great suffering," said Dr. Chantal Wood. In fact, pain specialists mainly lack of time to read all the signs and take charge. "Treat the pain of a child is to first take time. Examine and listen to a child, explain to parents what we can do and overcome their reluctance to morphine, for example, surround the child, console, all it takes considerable time and therefore staff, "