Developmental character and long-term consequences of pain in infants and children

Systematic ignoring of pain in the very young has given way to the measurement, treatment, and prevention of pain in all age groups. This profound shift has been supported by basic science research, leading to recognition of the uniqueness of the developing pain system; mechanisms underlying the transmission, integration, and modulation of painful stimuli; and a distinct repertoire of behavioral and other responses associated with the pain experience at each developmental stage. The authors present an overview of the definition of pain in infants and the development of the pain system, explore pain's developmental plasticity, and review the acute and long-term effects of early painful experiences.