Fundamentals of chronic pain in children and young people. Part 1.

Persistent and recurrent pain is a common condition in childhood. Chronic pain can have a negative effect on all aspects of quality of life, including physical, emotional, social and role functioning. A small percentage of these children and young people (5-8%) will experience significant impairments due to their pain condition. Most chronic pain requires a holistic multidisciplinary approach to treatment--pharmacological, physical and psychological strategies. Nurses are key members of the health care team in terms of helping children, young people and their families to manage the negative consequences of chronic pain. This article will review the prevalence, pathophysiology, contributing factors, consequences. Part two, to be published next month, will cover multimodal treatment of chronic pain in children and young people.