Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents : A Review

Abstract

Chronic pain in children has been increasing in prevalence and studies have provided evidence that it impacts the functional/physical aspects of the children’s life and their psychological and emotional well-being. Family caregivers of children and adolescents with chronic pain suffer a great sense of burden affecting their emotional, social, and family functioning. The problem is also exacerbated by the additional financial burden secondary to increased physician consultation and medication use. A better understanding of pain in children is needed in order to gain insight in the etiology. The aim of the following article is to provide a review of the literature on the prevalence of chronic pain in children and adolescents and the factors associated with it.