Articles
| Open Access |
DOI: Navigating Growing Pains in Pediatric Emergency Care: New Perspectives and Emerging Challenges
Muhammad Nouman Tariq , International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Islamabad PAKISTAN Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College Maisha Tasfia Chowdhury , Bangladesh Medical College Hospital Syed Shayan Gilani , Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore Shumaila Abu Bakar Bhura , Dow International Medical College, DUHS, Karachi Rasheed Ibikunle , College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria Bazaid Muhammad , Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College Faryal Sikandar , University of Lahore Nayab Shakoor , University of Nottingham Rizwan Uppal , Islamabad Diagnostic Center (IDC), F8 Markaz, Islamabad PAKISTAN Muhammad Rehan Uppal , Islamabad Diagnostic Center (IDC), F8 Markaz, Islamabad PAKISTAN Umar Saeed , Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Islamabad PAKISTAN Zahra Zahid Piracha , International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Islamabad PAKISTAN International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Austin, TX, United States of America International Center of Medical Sciences Research (ICMSR), Chadwell Heath, United Kingdom. Muhammad Ahmad , Affiliation: Nishtar Medical College, Multan Muhammad Zeeshan Tariq , Affiliation: University of HuddersfieldAbstract
Growing pains are a prevalent condition in children, often leading to discomfort and anxiety for both patients and their families. These pains typically manifest as bilateral limb discomfort that occurs primarily in the evenings or at night, affecting approximately 10-20% of the pediatric population. Despite their benign nature, growing pains pose significant challenges in pediatric emergency care due to their episodic nature and lack of specific diagnostic markers.
Recent research has shifted the understanding of growing pains from a simplistic view of mere skeletal growth to a multifactorial condition influenced by genetic predisposition, vitamin D deficiency, hypermobility syndrome, and psychosocial factors. This evolving perspective introduces new diagnostic uncertainties as healthcare providers must differentiate growing pains from serious underlying conditions, such as infections, malignancies, and autoimmune disorders.
Communication with parents plays a critical role, as they often seek immediate reassurance amid concerns about their child's health. The integration of mental health evaluations and tailored pain management strategies, including non-pharmacological approaches, is essential for effective treatment. Additionally, establishing structured follow-up care can aid in monitoring symptom progression and improving long-term outcomes.
In conclusion, addressing growing pains requires a holistic approach that encompasses both physical and psychological aspects of care. By enhancing the understanding of this condition and improving communication and management strategies, pediatric emergency care can better support children experiencing growing pains and their families
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References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Nouman Tariq , Maisha Tasfia Chowdhury, Syed Shayan Gilani, Shumaila Abu Bakar Bhura, Rasheed Ibikunle, Bazaid Muhammad, Faryal Sikandar, Nayab Shakoor, Rizwan Uppal, Muhammad Rehan Uppal, Umar Saeed, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Muhammad Ahmad , Muhammad Zeeshan Tariq
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