Opioid use disorder in pediatric populations: considerations for perioperative pain management and precision opioid analgesia.

Introduction: Opioids are commonly used for perioperative analgesia, yet children still suffer high rates of severe post-surgical pain and opioid-related adverse effects. Persistent and severe acute surgical pain greatly increases the child's chances of chronic surgical pain, long-term opioid use, and opioid use disorder.

Areas Covered: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are often inadequate in treating a child's severe surgical pain.