19 Dec Both Ibuprofen and Morphine Work For Childhood Fracture Pain
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Naveen Poonai MSc MD FAAP FRCPC
Paediatric Emergency Physician
Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Center
Assistant Professor Paediatrics and Internal Medicine
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
London, Ontario,
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Poonai: We found that in children discharged home with a fracture, both ibuprofen and oral morphine were effective at relieving pain. However, there were no significant differences in efficacy between the two agents and oral morphine was associated with more side effects.
MedicalResearch.com: What was most surprising about the results?
Dr. Poonai: The most surprising findings for us were that over 70% of children experienced pain significant enough to require analgesia once they were discharged home. Furthermore, we were surprised to find that the anecdotally more potent agent morphine, was equivalent to ibuprofen for post-fracture pain relief in children.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Poonai: The most important take home messages from this study is that pain affects the vast majority of children who have sustained a fracture once they are discharged home and ibuprofen remains a good choice because it’s safe and effective.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Poonai: We have a lot of evidence that children’s pain is under treated in the emergency department and after discharge. Now that we have identified a safe and effective agent, future studies should explore ways of helping parents to recognize pain in children and deliver the most appropriate therapy so we can maximize timely recovery.
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Last Updated on November 4, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD