ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Pain serves many purposes in our busy lives-it warns us of the danger we are putting ourselves in (touching a hot stove, getting a sunburn); it warns us of impending illness or worsening of a disease process (i.e., appendicitis, sickle-cell crisis); or it may be a warning of the “danger” being imposed on us by others (i.e., surgical incisions). Pain is also perceived differently by each person on the basis of personal pain thresholds, previous experiences with pain, and emotional status at the time the pain presents itself. This chapter will provide information on the pathophysiology of pain perception in children, typical types of pain encountered in the pediatric patient, and a logic pathway toward treatment of that pain.
