Growing pains

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As growing pains in children usually occur nightly and briefly persistent pain are called, which are mainly located in the legs and stop of their own accord. Diseases of the locomotor system (musculoskeletal system) must be excluded. The cause of the pain is unknown, but normal growth does not cause pain.

Epidemiology

Due to the lack of a generally accepted definition of the syndrome, the information on the incidence of the disease varies greatly depending on the study. Frequencies of 4 to 37% of the respective examined population are given. Girls seem to be affected slightly more often than boys.

root cause

The cause of the phenomenon is not clear. Several different hypotheses have been proposed about the cause of the pain. Poor posture, hypermobility and increased strain on the musculoskeletal system, circulatory disorders, a connection with the restless legs syndrome in some of the cases, increased fatigue and psychosocial disorders were and are assumed . Statistical studies of the children observed showed a connection (correlation) with headache and abdominal pain in about a third of the cases .

Clinical picture

Despite the lack of a definition of the syndrome, with the result that different populations are examined in studies of “growing pains” depending on the definition used, the following characteristics are given in the medical literature: The pain occurs predominantly on both sides of the legs and is localized to the depth of the thighs. Pain in the arms is also occasionally reported. The pain usually occurs suddenly at night and wakes the child out of sleep, but spontaneously subsides again. Massage, warmth and calming affection are perceived as relieving by the children. Physical examinations showed no abnormalities during or after the onset of pain. The children maintain their normal activity and offer no evidence of a pathological condition in the musculoskeletal system. In some of the cases there is also headache and abdominal pain. The complaints can persist for several years.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of "growing pains" is a diagnosis of exclusion . Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which can also cause pain, must be ruled out before one can speak of “growing pains”. Injuries, tumors , infections, rheumatological diseases, osteoid osteomas and many other diseases are possible treatable causes . These diseases are excluded by evaluating the clinical picture and, if necessary, using additional diagnostic procedures such as blood tests and X-rays.

treatment

Informing the parents and the child about the good prognosis of the pain is the most important measure after the diagnosis. Massage, heat and, if necessary, pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol are recommended to treat the pain attacks . However, these should not be taken for a long time.

Literature and Sources

  • T. Lehman, R. Feigin, M. Kim, R. Sundel: Growing pains. In: BD Rose (Ed.): UpToDate. UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2008.
  • F. Goodyear-Smith, B. Arroll: Growing pains. In: BMJ. 2006 Sep 2; 333 (7566), pp. 456-457. PMID 16946319 . Full text in English, last viewed on June 11, 2008.
  • Y. Uziel, PJ Hashkes: Growing pains in children. In: Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2007 Apr 19; 5, p. 5. PMID 17550631 , PMC 1869025 (free full text) in English, last accessed on June 11, 2008.