[Pain in children: a pediatrician's point of view].

The interest in the topic of pain in children is increasing within the paediatric community after a long period of misrecognition, often under-valuation, sometimes negligent or even denial. A lack of knowledge concerning pharmacology and toxicity of antalgic drugs and poorly adapted galenic presentations induced delay and complications in their use in children. The recent progress is supported by a better semiology, development of adequate pain scales, availability of adapted drugs, an effort at education of caregivers and public sensitization. In primary care the objective is to lead the practitioner to identify and consider pain in his/her preventive and curative strategies. In hospitals efforts are needed to improve the use of protocols and evaluations, the systematic practice of preventive analgesia and the quality of interprofessional cooperation within care teams. Managed care organizations are today an effective system to promote these practices.