She found these children exhibited a higher frequency of behaviors learned through observation of and interaction with parental chronic pain behavior. These children had a significantly higher incidence of absenteeism from school, visits to the school nurse, physical complaints, crying, whining, dependency behavior, child avoidance behavior, and pain-related responses than did children of severely diabetic parents or normal control parents. In our study, we found that the diagnosis of childhood and adolescent back pain is similar to that in the adult population. Emotional, psychiatric, and social problems were much more common in the Pain Group. We had one case of back pain with no organic cause in a patient who had attempted suicide at age 5.
Back pain is a common problem in industrialized nations.
A small percentage of these patients, specifically those who have chronic pain and are off work for more than 6 months, account for a disproportionately large percentage of the total cost for treatment of back problems. Considering the magnitude and pervasiveness of low back pain, it is of utmost importance to find ways to prevent first-time occurrences and to effectively treat those that do occur. We still hold the premise that a child with back pain should be taken seriously. Most cases can be differentiated on the basis of the history, physical examination, and possibly radiographs. The examination should begin, if possible, by observing the child in the waiting room or entering the office.