Pediatric pain management has made great strides over the past 50 years. However, considering the profound, negative effects of acute and chronic pain on youth, we must strive to improve pain management approaches for these vulnerable populations. The effects of acute pain experiences can last a lifetime and negatively affect subsequent pain experiences and well-being. For example, research has shown that postsurgical pain is undertreated in pediatric populations, and youth experience significant pain and suffering while in the hospital and after discharge. A subset of these youth go on to develop chronic pain. Chronic pain is associated with extended periods of pain and suffering and has widespread effects on functioning across physical, social, emotional, and cognitive domains. Impaired quality of life and functional disability are common, as are negative impacts on the family.
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