Media Release:

Ibuprofen is best to treat one of the most common childhood injuries: new study

As children prepare to spend the summer months playing outside, the results of a new study confirm simple over-the-counter medicine ibuprofen is preferable to paracetamol with codeine to treat children's arm fracture pain.¹

Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin Children's Hospital studied 244 children aged 4-18 years and compared how they respond to treatment when taking ibuprofen or paracetamol with codeine for pain associated with a simple fracture.¹

Their findings, published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, found that ibuprofen was at least as effective as paracetamol with codeine in providing outpatient analgesia but children receiving ibuprofen had fewer adverse effects and better functional outcomes. Furthermore both parents and children reported more satisfaction during the study.¹

Professor John Pearn from the Department of Paediatrics at the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane said the majority of children with simple arm fractures experience pain at home significant enough to warrant analgesic administration.

"The results of the study confirm that children who received ibuprofen had significantly fewer adverse effects, were able to play, ate better and both parents and children reported greater satisfaction with the simple over-the-counter pain medication", said Professor Pearn.

"Healthcare professionals and parents can feel confident about giving children non-prescription ibuprofen to treat this common injury," said Professor Pearn.

During the study parents asked their child for a pain score at awakening, at bedtime and before and one hour after each dose of medication. Children used a diary to record whether play, school, sleep, and eating were affected by pain each day. Both parents and children reported they were more satisfied with ibuprofen.¹

Parents should speak to their healthcare professional about the most appropriate pain medication for their child.

In Australia, Nurofen for Children is a pain medication containing ibuprofen.

References
1. Drendel, A. Gorelick, M, et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial of Ibuprofen Versus Acetaminophen With Codeine for Acute Pediatric Arm Fracture Pain. Annals of Emergency Medicine August 18 2009.

Mum Zone Release Date: 6th October 2009

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