Chest Pain

Abstract

Chest pain in children is typically not related to cardiovascular system. Nature of pain, location, radiation and association with other illness may help make the diagnosis. Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in adolescents, particularly girls. Musculoskeletal pain is common in adolescent boys, particularly those involved in physical fitness. Findings of Syncope, palpitations, dizziness, exertional chest pain and evidence of drug abuse in history should alert to a cardiac cause of chest pain. History of Kawasaki disease, diabetes mellitus, prior heart surgery or family history of sudden death may indicate cardiac causes of chest pain. Physical examination of the cardiovascular system in noncardiac causes of chest pain should be within normal limits. Presence of abnormal findings on cardiac examination such as poor peripheral pulses and perfusion, hepatomegaly, abnormal RV and LV (apical) impulses, hyperactive precordium, abnormal heart sounds, and abnormal heart murmurs should alert the examiner to cardiac disease.