Recurrent abdominal and flank pain in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria

Objective: To evaluate the role of idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) as a cause of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 124 children referred for various complaints who had 24-h urine calcium excretion greater than 2 mg/kg/d or random urine calcium-creatinine ratio greater than 0.18 mg/mg. Results:     

Sedation with intranasal midazolam of Angolan children undergoing invasive procedures

Aim: Ambulatory surgery is a daily requirement in poor countries, and limited means and insufficient trained staff lead to the lack of attention to the patient’s pain. Midazolam is a rapid‐onset, short‐acting benzodiazepine which is used safely to reduce pain in children. We evaluated the practicability of intranasal midazolam sedation in a suburban hospital in Luanda (Angola), during the surgical procedures. Methods: Intranasal midazolam solution was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Using the Ramsay’s reactivity score, we gave a score to four different types of children’s behaviour: moaning, shouting, crying and struggling, and the surgeon evaluated the ease of completing the surgical procedure using scores from 0 (very easy) to 3 (managing with difficulty). Results: Eighty children (median age, 3 years) were recruited, and 140 surgical procedures were performed. Fifty‐two children were treated with midazolam during 85 procedures, and 28 children were not treated during 55 procedures. We found a significant difference between the two groups on the shouting, crying and struggling parameters (p < 0.001). The mean score of the ease of completing the procedures was significantly different among the two groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These results provide a model of procedural sedation in ambulatory surgical procedures in poor countries, thus abolishing pain and making the surgeon’s job easier.     

Recurrent pain symptoms in children and parents

Recurrent pain in five different areas (stomach, arms & legs, head, back and neck & shoulders) in a population of 348 school children and their parents has been investigated. The study presented here is restricted to 229 mother-father-child trios. Forty-four percent of the children reported pain in at least one area compared to 60% of the mothers and 51% of the fathers. Headache and pains in arms and legs were most common in boys. The most frequent pain sites for girls were head and back. Overall, girls complained more than boys. No significant associations between complaints in parents and their children were demonstrated, analysed by logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, there was no significant association between the reported pain in the mother and father. Conclusion: Children's pain did not associate with parental pain in this study.The results do not support previous hypotheses that recurrent pain clusters in families.     

One hundred cases of recurrent abdominal pain in children: diagnostic procedures and criteria for a psychosomatic diagnosis

Aims: To highlight the diagnostic difficulties involved in elucidating the aetiology of recurrent abdominal pain and to evaluate the use of special premises and criteria for the diagnosis of psychosomatic pain. Methods: The study included 100 consecutive cases of recurrent abdominal pain in 6 to 15 y-old children who were evaluated at a special paediatric clinic for recurrent abdominal pain and who were followed for at least one year. The investigation included a semi-structured questionnaire, laboratory investigations based on clinical data and diagnoses based on defined criteria. Three premises and seven criteria, based on the assumption that chronic negative stress can cause recurrent pain, were used for the diagnosis of psychosomatic pain. Results: When the presented premises and criteria were employed for the diagnosis of psychosomatic pain, nearly half of the cases (48%) of recurrent abdominal pain could be explained. An organic or possibly organic diagnosis was found in 25% of the cases. Fourteen children had a possible psychosomatic diagnosis and in 9 cases no known diagnosis could be reached. Conclusion. The presented premises and criteria for the diagnosis of psychosomatic pain can be helpful when diagnosing recurrent abdominal pain, but further validation is needed. According to these criteria, a psychosomatic diagnosis was common in this series, accounting for nearly half of the cases. A medical diagnosis was evident in a quarter of the cases.     

Analgosedation with low-dose morphine for preterm infants with CPAP: risks and benefits

BACKGROUND: CPAP is widely used in preterm infants on NICUs but it poses a stressful stimulus to the patient, sometimes requiring the use of analgosedative drugs. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with the use of low-dose morphine in preterm infants with CPAP, especially apnea. METHODS: Sixty-four CPAP-treated preterm infants, who received a low single dose of morphine (recommended 0.01 mg/kg), were included in this prospective study. Observation-time was 4 h prior to injection, directly before injecting, until 15 min and 15-30 min, 30 min-1 h, 1-2 h, 2-3 h, 3-4 h, 4-5 h and 5-6 h after injection. For all observation periods incidence of apnea, heart rate, respiratory rate and a score for analgesia and for sedation were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-four preterm infants (29.6+/-3.3 weeks gestational age (GA), birth weight 1401+/-735 g) received 0.025+/-0.012 mg/kg morphine i.v. on the day 10-13 of life. The decrease in heart and respiratory rate, scores for analgesia and sedation were significant. The overall incidence of apnea did not increase compared to the 4 h pre-morphine period. Six patients (9.3%) experienced considerable delayed apnea. This group was significantly younger in GA (p<0.001) and lighter in birth weight (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Morphine in dosage less than half of recommended dosage has a high analgetic and sedative potential. The danger of delayed severe apnea has to be taken into consideration in the clinical situation, especially in patients<28 weeks.     

Adolescent chronic pain and disability: A review of the current evidence in assessment and treatment

Adolescents who suffer from chronic pain also report complex syndrome-associated disability and distress that can detrimentally affect the quality of their lives and the lives of their family members. Over the past 10 years, there have been significant developments in both methods of assessment and in treatment programs. There have also been good developments in clinical assessment tools, although many need further study. However, the evidence base of available treatments remains small, and there is an urgent need for new trials in both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. The greatest challenges are organizational, and the concern is how to bring patients in contact with available treatments. Many patients who could benefit from evidence-supported treatments are not currently able to access treatment. Theoretical developments aimed at explaining chronic pain within the context of the family, as well as family attempts at coping with complex disability, are underway.     

Neonatal pain assessment in Sweden – a fifteen‐year follow up

Background: It has been proposed that a systematic pain assessment increases the awareness of the need to treat and prevent pain, and most international and national neonatal pain guidelines state that pain assessment should be performed in a systematic way. National surveys show a wide variation in compliance to these guidelines. Methods: A survey to all Swedish neonatal units was performed in 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008, concerning the use of, and need for, pain assessment tools. Results: The number of units that tried to assess pain increased from 64% in 1993 to 83% in 2008. Forty‐four per cent of these used a structured method in 2003, compared to three per cent in 1998. The most common pain indicator was facial actions. Conclusion: The proportion of neonatal units that reported the use of a structured pain assessment tool has increased significantly from 1993 to 2008. There is a need for better evidence for the relation between the implementation of pain guidelines and the actual performance of pain assessment.     

Pain evaluation after a non-nociceptive stimulus in preterm infants during the first 28 days of life

Background

Protective mechanisms that modulate and lead to habituation to pain are immature in preterm newborn infants.

Aims

To evaluate if a routine non-painful handling will be perceived as painful throughout the neonatal period in newborn infants with 28–32 weeks of gestational age.

Study design

Prospective cohort study.

Subjects

36 preterm infants without malformations evaluated for pain during a diaper change.

Outcome measures

Patients were studied at three times (5 min prior, during, and 3 min after the diaper change) during five moments (72 h, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of life) by evaluation of heart rate, oxygen saturation and 3 validated pain assessment tools: the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), the Behavioral Indicators of Infant Pain (BIIP) and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). Results were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA adjusted for gender, gestational age at birth, number of painful procedures and use of opioids.

Results

Patients had, at birth, mean gestational age of 30.2 ± 1.4 weeks, birthweight of 1257 ± 238 g, with 50% males. Analysis of pain assessment tools did not show increase of pain presence or pain scores at the five sequential evaluation moments. The variation of oxygen saturation during the three study times was similar at the different post-natal ages, but heart rate variation increased significantly from 72 h until the 28th day of life.

Conclusions

In preterm infants, the non-nociceptive handling does not trigger pain responses even after 28 days of neonatal care, which includes the experience of repetitive procedural pain.     

阿片类药物在新生儿镇痛中的应用

阿片类药物是新生儿最常用的镇痛药,与年长儿和成年人相比,其在新生儿的药物分布容积更大,半衰期更长,且与胎龄、出生体质量、日龄相关.阿片类药物主要用于机械通气、围手术期及其他中重度或持续性疼痛.研究表明,阿片类药物可缓解疼痛,减轻应激反应,但需严密监测药物不良反应及综合考虑药物的远期作用.     

Pain response of neonates to venipuncture

Objective: To study the physiological and behavioral response to pain.Methods: 80 healthy neonates requiring bilirubin estimation, blood sugar etc. were randomly assigned to receive a venous puncture. All parameters were recorded 10 minutes prior, during and 10 minutes after the procedure. Evaluated NIPS score and RR., HR, NIBP and 02 saturation observed on Datex-Ohmeda multimonitor.Results : After the venepuncture, heart rate (p<0.001 ) and blood pressure (p<0.001 ) were significantly increased in both the groups but more significant increase was present in Group l(>2.5kg) as compared to Group II (>2.5kg). Respiratory rate was also increased but more significant in Group II(p<0.001) whereas Oxygen saturation was decreased in both the groups but more significant in Group I (p<0.001). Median Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) score was higher in both the Groups (p<0.001 ).Conclusion : The outcome measures appear to be reliable indices of term neonates responses to painful stimulation. NIPS are suitable instruments for neonatal pain evaluation.     

Pain in children with cerebral palsy: a cross‐sectional multicentre European study

Aim: To determine the prevalence and associations of self‐reported and parent‐reported pain in children with cerebral palsy (CP) of all severities. Method: Cross‐sectional design using a questionnaire; analysis using ordinal regression. Children aged 8–12 years were randomly selected from population‐based registers of children with CP in eight European regions; a further region recruited 75 children from multiple sources. Outcome measures were pain in the previous week among children who could self‐report and parents’ perception of their child’s pain in the previous 4 weeks. Results: Data on pain were available from 490 children who could self‐report and parents of 806 children (those who could and could not self‐report). The estimated population prevalence of self‐reported pain in the previous week was 60% (95% CI: 54–65%) and that of parent‐reported pain in the previous 4 weeks was 73% (95% CI: 69–76%). In self‐reporting children, older children reported more pain but pain was not significantly associated with severity of impairment. In parent reports, severity of child impairment, seizures and parental unemployment were associated with more frequent and severe pain. Conclusion: Pain in children with CP is common. Clinicians should enquire about pain and consider appropriate physical, therapeutic or psychological management.     

An ergonomic study of chronic musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren

Objective : Schoolchildren developing chronic musculoskeletal pain from carrying heavy backpacks (hereafter referred to as “pain”) is a worldwide issue. The present study of two cohorts, consisting of 248 Indian and 103 American schoolchildren aged 9.0 to 20.6 years, using a semi-objective pain criteria, sought to answer the questions: Can pain be correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI), Weight Carried, Strength, Mood or Body Fat ? What are the similarities and differences between the Indian and American schoolchildren in the above context ?Methods : After obtaining parental consent, the schoolchildren completd 1 a questionnaire. Then, they were weighed with and without carry-on items and their height as recorded. Isometric arm and shoulder strengths were measured using the Jackson Strength Tester. Using a Skinfold Caliper, skinfold thicknesses at the right triceps and calf was measured. Using the Borg Pain Scale the students assessed the pain experienced from their own backpacks, rated the acute pain experienced while carrying a standard 10 kg. or 7 kg. backpack.Result : Half the schoolchildren reported pain located primarily in the shoulders and back (where most students carry their backpacks). Pain did not correlate with study variables (p > 0.05), and the student moods were mostly happy or neutral. Americans are five times as stressed or sad than the Indians, and the average weight carried decreased as the grade increased. The mean of the age, height, arm and shoulder strengths, and BMI for the 5th to 8th grade schoolchildren (younger groups) and the 9th to 12th grade schoolchildren (older groups), in India, was lower than their American counterparts (p < 0.05). In contrast, the weight carried to school by the Indian children was higher (p < 0.05). The mean pain level perceived by both the younger and older groups in both countries, was not statistically different (p > 0.05).Conclusion : Musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren due to carrying heavy backpacks is a significant problem. There are some similarities, but a number of differences between the Indian and American schoolchildren. Implementing thePain Prevention Screening is expected to minimize pain, if not lead to a pain-free child.     

Healthcare service use in adolescents with non‐specific musculoskeletal pain

Aim: To estimate occurrence of non‐specific musculoskeletal pain in a wide population sample of Italian adolescents, and to investigate their use of healthcare services (seeking of medical attention, referral for diagnostic tests and treatment use). Methods: We investigated 7542 high‐school adolescents (aged between 12 and 16 years) by a structured questionnaire and consisting of personal data, presence of pain, health provider consulted, referral for diagnostic tests and compliance with the prescribed treatments. Results: In 3399 (45.1%) reported musculoskeletal pain (the most affected sites being the spine and knees), 2525 (74.2%) of whom had sought medical attention. Of the 2525 subjects who had sought healthcare, 1061 (42.0%) had consulted more than one health provider, 2410 (95.4%) had been referred for diagnostic tests, and some form of treatment had been recommended for 2445 (96.8%), but only 1694 (69.2%) had complied with prescribed therapies. The most important factors linked to health seeking behaviour were pain intensity, pain lasting longer than 3 months, injury, interruption to or absence of physical activity and localization in the spine and knee. Conclusion: Non‐specific musculoskeletal pain is a frequent event in Italian adolescents and that a large number of these subjects consult a healthcare service.     

Pain assessment: current status and challenges

Neonatal pain assessment has received much attention over the past decade. Behavioural indicators of pain include facial action, body movement and tone, cry, state/sleep, and consolability. Physiological indicators of pain include increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, as well as decreased heart rate variability and oxygen desaturation. Pain assessment in neonates is difficult in neurologically compromised, chemically paralyzed, and non-responsive infants. Multiple pain assessment tools are summarized. Pain assessment and management protocols are delineated.     

PICU患儿镇痛镇静治疗的目的和意义

疼痛的近期副作用包括对儿童呼吸、循环、代谢、免疫及神经系统的影响；远期副作用包括对心理、生长、发育、行为等身心方面的影响；同时,儿童疼痛也会给其家庭和社会带来负面影响.因此对患儿实施镇痛和镇静治疗,是临床医师的道义与责任,需要临床医师从专业和人道的角度进行思考和认识,使用镇痛和镇静治疗保持患儿安全和舒适是PICU治疗中的最基本环节.