Website Focuses on Managing Pain in Children

Pain in children is often undertreated because of unwarranted fears of side effects and myths about the effects of pain on youngsters.

"Pediatric pain is still undermanaged. Even today, there is a hesitancy to treat young people for pain. A lot of misconceptions exist," says Dr. Marilyn Hockenberry-Eaton, an associate professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at Baylor College of Medicine.

A new Texas Children's Cancer Center website at www.childcancerpain.org addresses those myths, as well as provides educational information to caregivers on effective pain management in children.

"Cancer Pain Management in Children" is a project funded by the Texas Cancer Council. It includes the website, along with a booklet of information that is available to professionals who treat young cancer patients.

Though the website is designed for cancer patient caregivers, it provides information useful to all health professionals, and to parents.

A glossary of terms associated with pain management, as well as pain assessment tools and pharmacological strategies, are all part of the site.

"We've tried to make it state-of-the-art information about a real difficult subject, but softened with artwork and comments to parents. We didn't want it to be this technical, frightening website that people wouldn't want to touch," she says.

Dr. Hockenberry-Eaton says misconceptions about pain in children continue to keep them from getting adequate amounts of medication.

Some of the myths explored on the website include:

• Young infants do not feel pain. Studies have shown that a newborn can experience pain.
• Children easily become addicted to narcotics. There is no greater risk of addiction in children than in adults when medication is appropriately administered.
• Children tolerate pain better than adults do. Younger children experience higher levels of pain during procedures than older children do.
• Children are unable to tell you where they hurt. Though they might not express themselves in the same way as adults, children can identify pain.
• Children become accustomed to pain or painful procedures. Children exposed to repeated painful procedures often have increased anxiety and perception of pain with each procedure.

The content of the website was developed by Dr. Hockenberry-Eaton and four other authors, and was reviewed by 15 advisors. Baylor's Center for Collaborative and Interactive Technology designed the website.

- LORI WILLIAMS

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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