title: Pediatric pain management in palliative care.
abstract: The management of pain in pediatric palliative care (PPC) is essential. Whilst the field of pain management has developed over the years, much of what is done in PPC is based on anecdotal evidence or adult studies. This review explores recent developments in pain management in PPC, in particular the WHO guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in children with medical illnesses. Key issues discussed include the definition, assessment, pharmacological and integrative management of pain, availability of medications, education and research. Whilst advances have been made, including publication of the guidelines, significant gaps exist in terms of the evidence base, education and access to essential medications and both interdisciplinary and international collaboration are required to meet these gaps.
authors.affiliation: International Children's Palliative Care Network & Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Downing
authors.forename: Satbir Singh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jassal
authors.forename: Lulu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Hanneke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brits
authors.forename: Stefan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Friedrichsdorf
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care
keywords: global; integrative; nonpharmacological; pain; pain assessment; pain guidelines; pain management; pediatric; pharmacological; public health