Chronic Pain in Kids Can Be a Symptom of Abuse, Common Signs to Watch Out For

Some may look back on their teenage years as the most difficult time of their lives. This transitional period from childhood to adulthood can cause confusion, grief and pain. In fact, a new study shows that that there has been an increased rate of chronic pain seen in children and teenagers between 2004 and 2010 in the United States, alone. 

The study showed that in 23 percent of cases reported, those most commonly suffering from symptoms of chronic pain were dealing with abdominal issues. Other conditions included reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, a condition that allegedly causes nerve pain that can harm the limbs and affected 9.2 percent of children in the study.

"We are seeing a lot more young patients with chronic pain syndrome," said study author Dr. Thomas A. Coffelt, assistant professor of clinical medicine and pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, via Live Science. "It is quite alarming to us."

Researchers gathered information on 3,752 children who were admitted to 43 pediatric hospitals throughout the United States.

Most patients in the study were white and female, with an average age of 14 years. The average hospital stay was also 7 days, according to the study.

The vast majority of patients in the study received an additional diagnoses while In the hospital, with an average of 10 diagnoses per child. The study shows that many of the children were diagnosed with conditions including abdominal pain, mood disorders, constipation and nausea. Sixty-five percent of the patients received a gastrointestinal diagnoses, and 44 percent received a psychiatric diagnosis.

Unfortunately, study results showed that even after being hospitalized, many continued to suffer from pain, and some were readmitted at least once for pain symptoms.

Though the study authors can't pin down any one reason as to why so many children are suffering from chronic pain, possible causes could stem from physical, emotional and sexual abuse or assault experienced at earlier periods of life.

"We can't identify the underlying [cause] of pain, which is why we struggle with it," Coffelt said, via Live Science. "We need to find a better way to treat these patients."

Researchers said they are hopeful that further studies will help to reveal a more in-depth answer as to what might be the underlying cause for chronic pain. 

The study appears today (July 1) in the journal Pediatrics.