Pain Management in Pediatric Trauma

Pain in pediatric trauma patients is difficult to assess and manage, with far-reaching consequences if not treated adequately. How we as a healthcare team approach treating pain in pediatric trauma patients can be the difference between achieving meaningful recovery versus unintentionally causing fear, anxiety, and psychological discomfort for our patients. Emergency medicine and trauma teams need to be well-versed in the many treatment options of pediatric pain to both obtain a thorough trauma exam as well as maintain the patient's comfort in a safe and effective manner. This article aims to discuss the many advantages of a multidisciplinary approach to managing pain in pediatric trauma patients, including the use of pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacotherapy-based treatment approaches.