Innovations in Pediatric Pain Management: Balancing Efficacy and Safety

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Emily Chen

University of Toronto, Canada

: J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil

Abstract

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Effective pain management in children remains a cornerstone of compassionate pediatric care, yet it poses unique challenges due to age-related physiological differences, variable pain expression, and communication barriers. Dr. Emily Chen from Toronto presents the latest advances in multimodal pediatric pain management, integrating pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies to optimize both safety and efficacy. This session will cover evidence-based approaches including opioid stewardship to minimize risks, utilization of regional anesthesia techniques such as nerve blocks and epidurals, and the expanding role of non-opioid analgesics like acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and emerging adjuvants such as gabapentinoids. Dr. Chen will also explore innovative complementary methods including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), virtual reality distraction techniques, and parent-led comfort measures that empower families during painful procedures. Special emphasis will be placed on managing procedural pain in neonates and infants, acute postoperative pain control, and the complexities of chronic pain syndromes such as juvenile fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The lecture will highlight the importance of age-appropriate, validated pain assessment tools that take developmental and cultural factors into account. Through detailed case studies and clinical guidelines, attendees will gain practical insights on minimizing pain-related trauma, preventing opioid misuse and dependence, and improving pediatric patient outcomes across inpatient and outpatient settings. The session aims to equip pediatricians, anesthesiologists, pain specialists, and allied health professionals with actionable strategies for safe, effective, and compassionate pain management in children.

Biography

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Emily Chen is a pediatric anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the Hospital for Sick Children in To ronto, Canada. She earned her MD from the University of Toronto and completed fellowship training in pediatric pain medicine at Boston Childrenâ??s Hospital. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Chen is internationally recognized for her research on multimodal analgesia and non-pharmacologic pain interventions in pediatric populations. She is a member of the Canadian Pain Societyâ??s Pediatric Pain Special Interest Group and frequently lectures at national and international conferences on advances in pediatric pain care. Dr. Chen also actively participates in de veloping clinical guidelines and educational programs aimed at improving pain management outcomes in children.