Myths about childrens pain Myth Infants do not feel pain Truth The central nervous system of a 26-weekold

foetus possesses the anatomical and neurochemical capabilities of experiencing pain. 19 Less than 1% of children treated with opiods develop addiction. Opioids are no more dangerous for children than they are for adults when appropriately administered. 20 Younger children experience high levels of pain during procedures than older children. Childrens tolerance for pain increases with age. 13, 21. Children may not be able to express pain in the same manner as adults. However, with proper use of pain assessment scales, such as the faces pain scale, accurately. 22 Children are able to point to the body area where they are experiencing pain or draw a picture illustrating their perception of pain. Children exposed to repeated painful procedures often experience increasing anxiety and perception of pain with repeated procedures. 23 Children may not report pain due to fear of administration of a painful analgesic (injection) or fear of returning to the hospital. Children who have experienced chronic pain may not be aware that they are experiencing pain. Young children may not have adequate communication skills or others may not think it is necessary to tell health professionals about the pain. 24 Children are unique in their ways of coping. Childrens behaviour is not a specific indication of their pain level. 25 A child who is experiencing pain may be active and playing normally. For example, a school age child may attempt to enjoy a favourite activity (eg. Spending hours with a puzzle), as a way to distract attention from pain, rather than lying in

Children easily become addicted to narcotics

Children tolerate pain better than adults

Children are unable to tell you they hurt

Children become accustomed to pain or painful procedures

Children will tell you when they are experiencing pain

Childrens behaviour reflects their pain intensity

bed.

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Common Myths About Infant's Pain

Myth #1 - "The doctors and nurses will always know if my baby is hurting" Your baby is the only person who knows how much pain he or she is having. Parents are also good at determining when their baby is hurting. Pain is not something a doctor or nurse can see, therefore they welcome information about pain from parents. Myth #2 - "Pain is a part of being in the hospital" Unfortunately, every bit of pain cannot be eliminated for all infant's who are sick. However, much of it can be controlled to help your baby feel better sooner. Myth #3 - "If my baby gets strong pain medicine, he or she will become addicted to it" An addict is someone who takes drugs to get "high." Infants who are given pain medications may "get used to it" and adjustments may need to be made by the doctor. This is normal when a child has been on a medication over time. It is not the same as becoming "addicted." Myth #4 - "The only way to help an infant's pain is with a medication" Nurses use a number of techniques to help your baby at stressful times, such as swaddling, positioning, dimmed lights, soft music, sucking on a pacifier, and gentle touch. These are very effective ways to control pain in infants. Myth #5 - "Newborns (especially premature babies) don't feel or remember pain" Premature infants feel pain. It is true these infants are very tiny but their pain responses are developed at birth. Some infants may not move much because they are weak or very ill. Absence of a pain response does not indicate lack of pain. That is why the nurses and doctors must use special "tools" to assess for pain.

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