An Italian multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus on managing children and adolescents with mild-moderate acute pain

Acute pain is a common symptom in children and adolescents. Guidelines recommend measuring pain severity in all subjects using adequate scales. In addition, guidelines recommend always to treat pain. Acetaminophen as pain-reliever and Ibuprofen as NSAID with analgesic effect are extensively considered a first-choice medications for relieving mild-moderate acute pain in children. However, among NSAIDs also ketoprofen lysine salt is indicated in young patients 6 years of age and older and proved to exert analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. The present multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus, promoted by the Italian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SIAIP), aimed at proposing practical statements about pain management and the possible use of ketoprofen lysine salt (KLS) to relieve mild-moderate acute pediatric pain. A multidisciplinary panel of 33 qualified experts discussed and anonymously voted on the statements drafted by a steering committee. The results confirmed a large agreement about the importance of adequately assessing pain severity and treating pain in all children and adolescents. The current multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus advocated constantly measuring pain through algometric scales and treating all children in all situations. The Delphi Consensus also agreed that KLS is effective, rapid, and safe in managing children from the age of six and adolescents with mild-moderate acute pain. As a result, KLS may be a valuable option in this clinical setting. The Delphi Consensus also agreed that KLS may display an efficacy and safety overlapping with ibuprofen and acetaminophen. As a result, KLS may be considered a valuable option in managing children older than six years and adolescents with mild-moderate acute pain.