Assessment of Acute Pain in Children

Paediatric laceration repair in the emergency department: post-discharge pain and maladaptive behavioural changes

BACKGROUND

Paediatric laceration repair procedures are common in the ED; however, post-discharge recovery remains understudied. Perioperative research demonstrates that children exhibit maladaptive behavioural changes following stressful and painful medical procedures. This study examined post-discharge recovery following paediatric laceration repair in the ED.

METHODS

This prospective observational study included a convenience sample of 173 children 2-12 years old undergoing laceration repair in a paediatric ED in Orange, California, USA between April 2022 and August 2023. Demographics, laceration and treatment data (eg, anxiolytic medication), and caregiver-reported child pre-procedural and procedural pain (Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)) were collected. On days 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-discharge, caregivers reported children's pain and new-onset maladaptive behavioural changes (eg, separation anxiety) via the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire for Ambulatory Surgery. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables associated with the incidence of post-discharge maladaptive behavioural change.

RESULTS

Post-discharge maladaptive behavioural changes were reported in 43.9% (n=69) of children. At 1 week post-discharge, approximately 20% (n=27) of children exhibited maladaptive behavioural changes and 10% (n=13) displayed behavioural changes 2 weeks post-discharge. Mild levels of pain (NRS ≥2) were reported in 46.7% (n=70) of children on post-discharge day 1, 10.3% (n=14) on day 7 and 3.1% (n=4) on day 14. An extremity laceration (p=0.029), pre-procedural midazolam (p=0.020), longer length of stay (p=0.043) and post-discharge pain on day 1 (p<0.001) were associated with incidence of maladaptive behavioural changes. Higher pain on post-discharge day 1 was the only variable independently associated with an increased likelihood of maladaptive behavioural change (OR=1.32 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.61), p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Over 40% of children exhibited maladaptive behavioural changes after ED discharge. Although the incidence declined over time, 10% of children continued to exhibit behavioural changes 2 weeks post-discharge. Pain on the day following discharge emerged as a key predictor, highlighting the potential critical role of proactive post-procedural pain management in mitigating adverse behavioural changes.

Pain care for children with cognitive impairment: A parent-nurse partnership

PURPOSE

To explore nurses' experiences of establishing partnerships with parents for pain care of hospitalized children with cognitive impairment (CI) and identify related facilitators and barriers.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In this qualitative, interpretive descriptive study, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted via videoconferencing with pediatric nurses from inpatient wards in a Canadian pediatric quaternary hospital. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using an inductive, data-driven thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Eleven nurses were interviewed. The overarching theme was Assessing Pain as an Outsider: "A Complete Guessing Game". Seven major themes were identified.: Relying on Parent Expertise for Pain Assessment, Brainstorming with Parents for Pain Treatment, Supporting Parents as Advocates for Pain Care, Individualizing Pain Care with Parents, Involving the Child in Pain Care: A Spectrum, Barriers to Partnership in Pain Care and Facilitators to Partnership in Pain Care.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses described the many ways they involve parents as partners in pain care. However, nurses shared strong feelings of uncertainty associated with pain care in children with CI. Consequently, nurses felt the need to rely on parents for appropriately assessing and treating pain in children with CI. Findings highlighted the practice and education gaps that may contribute to nurses' uncertainty and reliance on parents.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

By identifying related practice and education gaps, healthcare organizations can implement strategies to further support nurses in establishing partnerships and potentially optimize pain care practices.

Pain assessment tools for use with children in acute pain in the emergency department

There is a lack of timely administration of an appropriate analgesic for children in acute pain in emergency departments in the UK and elsewhere. Unrelieved acute pain may result in deterioration in a child's physical and psychological condition therefore assessment is essential to enable triage nurses to offer an appropriate analgesic. This should be achieved by using a validated pain assessment tool which, where appropriate, enables the child to self-report their pain. This article describes various validated pain assessment tools for use with children with acute pain and considers how triage nurses can determine which is the most appropriate to use. Regardless of which tool is selected, it is important to offer the child an analgesic and to reassess their pain at appropriate intervals.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is elevated in children with acute kidney injury and sickle cell anemia, and predicts mortality

Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker of acute kidney injury that has been adapted to a urine dipstick test. However, there is limited data on its use in low-and-middle-income countries where diagnosis of acute kidney injury remains a challenge. To study this, we prospectively enrolled 250 children with sickle cell anemia aged two to 18 years encompassing 185 children hospitalized with a vaso-occlusive pain crisis and a reference group of 65 children attending the sickle cell clinic for routine care follow up. Kidney injury was defined using serial creatinine measures and a modified-Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome definition for sickle cell anemia. Urine NGAL was measured using the NGAL dipstick and a laboratory reference. The mean age of children enrolled was 8.9 years and 42.8% were female. Among hospitalized children, 36.2% had kidney injury and 3.2% died. Measured urine NGAL levels by the dipstick were strongly correlated with the standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for urine NGAL (hospitalized children, 0.71; routine care reference, 0.88). NGAL levels were elevated in kidney injury and significantly increased across injury stages. Hospitalized children with a high-risk dipstick test (300ng/mL and more) had a 2.47-fold relative risk of kidney injury (95% confidence interval 1.68 to 3.61) and 7.28 increased risk of death (95% confidence interval 1.10 to 26.81) adjusting for age and sex. Thus, urine NGAL levels were found to be significantly elevated in children with sickle cell anemia and acute kidney injury and may predict mortality.

Acute kidney injury in hospitalized children with sickle cell anemia

Background

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) that may lead to death or chronic kidney disease. This study evaluated AKI prevalence and risk factors in children with SCA hospitalized with a vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in a low-resource setting. Further, we evaluated whether modifications to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition would influence clinical outcomes of AKI in children with SCA hospitalized with a VOC.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 185 children from 2 – 18 years of age with SCA (Hemoglobin SS) hospitalized with a VOC at a tertiary hospital in Uganda. Kidney function was assessed on admission, 24–48 h of hospitalization, and day 7 or discharge. Creatinine was measured enzymatically using an isotype-dilution mass spectrometry traceable method. AKI was defined using the original-KDIGO definition as ≥ 1.5-fold change in creatinine within seven days or an absolute change of ≥ 0.3 mg/dl within 48 h. The SCA modified-KDIGO (sKDIGO) definition excluded children with a 1.5-fold change in creatinine from 0.2 mg/dL to 0.3 mg/dL.

Results

Using KDIGO, 90/185 (48.7%) children had AKI with 61/185 (33.0%) AKI cases present on admission, and 29/124 (23.4%) cases of incident AKI. Overall, 23 children with AKI had a 1.5-fold increase in creatinine from 0.2 mg/dL to 0.3 m/dL. Using the sKDIGO-definition, 67/185 (36.2%) children had AKI with 43/185 (23.2%) cases on admission, and 24/142 (16.9%) cases of incident AKI. The sKDIGO definition, but not the original-KDIGO definition, was associated with increased mortality (0.9% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.024). Using logistic regression, AKI risk factors included age (aOR, 1.10, 95% CI 1.10, 1.20), hypovolemia (aOR, 2.98, 95% CI 1.08, 8.23), tender hepatomegaly (aOR, 2.46, 95% CI 1.05, 5.81), and infection (aOR, 2.63, 95% CI 1.19, 5.81) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that AKI is a common complication in children with SCA admitted with VOC. The sKDIGO definition of AKI in children with SCA was a better predictor of clinical outcomes in children. There is need for promotion of targeted interventions to ensure early identification and treatment of AKI in children with SCA.

Pain management in COVID-19 pediatric patients-An evidence- based review

Despite our growing knowledge about the COVID pandemic, not much concern has been focused upon the effective pain management in pediatric patients suffering from this SARS CoV2 virus. Symptoms with pain like myalgia (10%–40%), sore throat (5%–30%), headache (14%–40%) and abdominal pain (10%) are common in children suffering from COVID. (3-5) We conducted a systematic review regarding analgesia for COVID positive pediatric patients. Cochrane, PubMed, and Google scholar databases were searched for relevant literature. Owing to the novel status of COVID-19 with limited literature, we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, case series and case reports in the descending order of consideration. Articles in languages other than English, abstract only articles and non-scientific commentaries were excluded. The Primary outcome was evaluation of pain related symptoms and best strategies for their management. Our review revealed that a multidisciplinary approach starting from non-pharmacological techniques like drinking plenty of water, removing triggers like inadequate sleep, specific foods and psychotherapy including distraction, comfort and cognitive behavioural strategies should be used. Pharmacological approaches like acetaminophen, NSAIDS, spasmolytics etc. can be used if non-pharmacological therapy is inadequate. As per the current strength of evidence, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be safely administered for pain management in children with COVID-19. Undertreated pain is a significant contributor to increased morbidity and poor prognosis. Integration of evidence based non-pharmacotherapies in the multidisciplinary pain management will contribute towards improved functioning, early recovery and better quality care for pediatric patients suffering from COVID.

Topical Review: State of the Field of Child Self-Report of Acute Pain

OBJECTIVE

Children experience acute pain with routine and emergent healthcare, and untreated pain can lead to a range of repercussions. Assessment is vital to diagnosing and treating acute pain. Given the internal nature of pain, self-report is predominant. This topical review reflects on the state of the field of pediatric acute pain self-report, and proposes a framework for acute pain assessment via self-report.

METHOD

We examine self-report of acute pain in preschool-age children through adolescents, and we detail a three-step process to optimize acute pain assessment.

RESULTS

The first step is to decide between a pain screening or assessment. Several 0-10 self-report scales are available for pain screenings. Assessment requires specification of the goals and domains to target. Core criteria, common features, modulating factors, and consequences of acute pain provide a framework for a comprehensive pain assessment. Whereas there are some measures available to assess aspects of these domains, there are considerable gaps. Last, it is important to integrate the data to guide clinical care of acute pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-report of acute pain is dominated by single-item intensity scales, which are useful for pain screening but inadequate for pain assessment. We propose a three-step approach to acute pain assessment in children. However, there is a need for measure development for a comprehensive evaluation of the core criteria, common features, modulating factors, and consequences of pediatric acute pain. In addition, there is limited guidance in merging data found in multifaceted evaluations of pediatric acute pain.