Pain Management in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: For many children, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has impacted the experience and treatment of their pain. This narrative review draws from the pain literature and emerging findings from COVID-19 research to highlight potentially meaningful directions for clinical consideration and empirical inquiry in the months and years to come. RECENT FINDINGS: COVID-19 has been linked to diffuse acute pains as well as chronic pain sequelae. Contextual factors known to increase vulnerability for pain and associated functional disability have been exacerbated during the pandemic. Beyond these salient concerns has been the remarkable resilience demonstrated by patients and providers as healthcare systems have sought to harness creativity and innovative digital solutions to support optimal child wellbeing throughout this crisis. SUMMARY: Ongoing research is needed to elucidate the short- and long-term effects of the pandemic on children’s pain and to consider how the delivery of treatment via digital technology has impacted existing paradigms of pain management.