Pediatric Chest Pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that is felt along the front of the body between the neck and abdomen.
Causes
There are many causes of chest pain. The heart is rarely the cause of chest pain in children. In children, chest pain is most often musculoskeletal. It comes from the chest wall muscle, bone, or cartilage. Other causes of chest pain in children include
- Asthma.
- Pneumonia.
- Heartburn.
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
- Anxiety.
Testing and Treatment
Testing depends on the symptoms your child is having. The tests may include an EKG (electrocardiogram), chest x-ray, or echocardiogram.
Treatment depends on the cause of the chest pain. Treatment includes ibuprofen for musculoskeletal pain and antacids for gastroesophageal reflux.
Who do I call with questions?
Your child's doctor or our clinic staff can answer your questions.
Pediatric Cardiology (608) 263-6420.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 05/16/2012
Copyright © 05/16/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6854
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