Pain in children and adolescents hospitalized in a center of reference.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation and treatment of pain in hospitalized is still an important health pro blem.

OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence, characteristics and approaches to pain management in children and adolescents hospitalized in the Pediatric Hospital of the Pereira Rossell Center (HP-CH- PR), a pediatric reference center in Uruguay.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study, through survey and review of clinical records on 09/13/16. All hospitalized children under the age of 19 were included.

VARIABLES: age, gender, reason for admission, presence of cognitive disorder, the prevalen ce of pain at some time during hospitalization, in the last 24 hours and during the interview, cause of maximum pain, intensity, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment.

RESULTS: 97.4% (152/156) hospitalized children were included. Pain prevalence at some point during hospitalization: 51.3% (78/152, 95% CI: 43.2-59.3); in the previous 24 hours: 39.5% (60/152, 95% CI: 31.7-47.2); during the interview: 15.8% (24/152, 95% CI: 10-21.5). Intensity: mild 13/24, moderate-severe 11/24. Maximum pain referred during hospitalization: needle punctures 48.5% (38/78). They had some analgesic prescription 47.3% of them had some analgesic prescription. Inadequate interdose inter val: 45.8%; adequate dose 98.9%; intravenous administration: 43.7%; contraindication to oral route: 40.5%.

CONCLUSIONS: Regarding children and adolescents hospitalized, 39.5% reported pain 24 hours before being the interviewed and 15.8% reported pain during the interview. The maximum pain reported during hospitalization was due to needle punctures. Children in pain with inappropriate analgesic prescriptions are still detected.