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Benign Nocturnal Limb Pains of Childhood
Aka: Benign Nocturnal Limb Pains of Childhood, Growing Pains
- Epidemiology
- Prevalence: 35% of children 4-6 years old
- Symptoms
- Characteristics
- Deep cramping pain
- Pain severe enough to wake child from sleep
- Region
- Often involves lower limbs (thigh, shin, calf)
- Bilateral
- Timing
- Intermittent
- Night pain
- Usually resolves completely by morning
- Provocative
- Heavy Exercise during the day
- Palliative
- Heat
- Massage
- Physiotherapy
- Signs
- Pediatric Limp suggests other diagnosis
- Differential Diagnosis
- See Musculoskeletal Pain in Children
- Associated conditions
- Chronic Headaches
- Chronic Abdominal Pain
- Family History of Chronic Pain
- Emotional or psychological issues
- Management
- Primum non nocere (First do no harm!)
- Explain the condition in simple terms to the child
- Hot packs, massage, or warm baths
- Mild Analgesics and antiinflammatory medications
- Anticipatory guidance that pain will resolve over time
- Maintain Exercise program that does not exacerbate pain