Chest pain in children

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Chest pain in children
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness
Complications	Anxiety, reduced physical activity
Onset	Typically in school-aged children
Duration	Varies, often transient
Types	N/A
Causes	Musculoskeletal pain, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, psychogenic pain
Risks	Family history, stress, physical activity
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, history taking, physical examination, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram
Differential diagnosis	Costochondritis, pneumonia, pericarditis, myocarditis
Prevention	Stress management, proper warm-up exercises
Treatment	Reassurance, analgesics, treatment of underlying cause
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good
Frequency	Common in children
Deaths	N/A

Chest pain in children is a common symptom that can be caused by many different factors. While it is often less serious than chest pain in adults, it can still be a cause for concern and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Causes

Chest pain in children can be caused by a variety of factors. These can be broadly categorized into cardiac and non-cardiac causes.

Cardiac Causes

Cardiac causes of chest pain in children are relatively rare, but can include conditions such as congenital heart disease, myocarditis, and pericarditis. These conditions can cause chest pain by affecting the heart's structure or function.

Non-Cardiac Causes

Non-cardiac causes of chest pain in children are more common and can include conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and musculoskeletal pain. These conditions can cause chest pain by affecting the lungs, digestive system, or muscles and bones of the chest.

Symptoms

In addition to chest pain, children may also experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, fever, or abdominal pain. The presence of these symptoms can help healthcare professionals determine the underlying cause of the chest pain.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of chest pain in children typically involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Additional tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, or blood tests may also be performed to help identify the cause of the chest pain.

Treatment

The treatment of chest pain in children depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery.

Gallery

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  Brugada syndrome type 1 example

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  Fractured ribs marked

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  Spontaneous pneumothorax

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  Cause of chest pain in children and adolescents

See Also

• Chest pain
• Pediatrics
• Cardiology

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