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Mitral Valve ProlapseĪ minor abnormality of the valve that fills the main pumping chamber of the heart (the left ventricle). Anyone with these symptoms should promptly consult a physician. Troubled breathing and sweating may also occur. More likely, children will have less specific complaints. Children may experience a "typical" crushing mid-sternal chest pain that radiates to the neck and chin or to the left shoulder and arm. This can be due to congenital abnormalities of the position of the arteries or acquired diseases like Kawasaki disease.Įxtreme thickening of the heart muscle and prolonged episodes of fast heart rate can also limit the heart's blood supply. May limit the heart's oxygen supply and cause symptoms similar to adults with cardiac chest pain. Cough, troubled breathing and fever are common. Typical pericarditis pain is sharp and mid-sternal and may radiate to the shoulders.Īssuming a sitting position or leaning forward frequently alleviates pain. It is usually caused by a treatable or self-limited infection, but can have other more serious causes. PericarditisĪn inflammation of the heart lining. Keep in mind that the following conditions are rare as you review the causes of chest pain. Unlike adults, chest pain due to a cardiac cause is extremely uncommon in children. There are now many prescription and over-the-counter medicines available to treat acid reflux. It sometimes manifests as a burning sensation below the sternum, though children may not be capable of accurately describing this symptom. Acid RefluxĬan cause stomach or chest pain. There is no specific treatment, and the frequency of events usually declines through adolescence. Several episodes may occur per day.Īlthough its cause remains uncertain, precordial catch syndrome has no significant side effects. The pain can also be "broken" with a forced deep inspiration. A typical episode lasts several minutes and resolves spontaneously. The pain occurs exclusively with inspiration (inhaling). It occurs most commonly in adolescents and is characterized by sudden onset of intense, sharp pain along the chest or back. Precordial Catch SyndromeĪ benign illness of unknown cause. It is important to decipher whether chest pain is the cause of anxiety or the result.
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Often stress can make chest pain from another cause seem worse. The pain is often dull or non-specific and worsens with stress or anxiety.Ĭommon underlying stressors include loss of a relative, school examinations, and "breaking up" with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
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Stress or AnxietyĪlthough few people are willing to believe that stress can elicit such a worrisome symptom, stress-related chest pain is really no different than a stress-related headache. Consult a physician when injury causes chest pain that is severe, persistent, or associated with difficulty breathing. Treatment is usually supportive with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. Other less obvious causes include heavy lifting, frequent coughing or intense aerobic exercise that can all cause strain to the rib muscles. Some are obvious such as a direct blow during a sporting event or a fall. Injury to the muscles and bones of the chest wall can have many causes. Treatment typically consists of a one- to two-week course of an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. The hallmark of costochondritis is tenderness to pressure over the costochondral joint, which corresponds to the depression on the sides of the breastbone. There may be pain when inhaling or exhaling deeply, but true difficulty in breathing is rare and should generate concern for other diagnoses.
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It is particularly common in adolescent and pre-adolescent females, but can occur in anyone at any age.įrequently caused by viral illness or by frequent coughing, upper respiratory symptoms often accompany this illness. CostochondritisĬostochondritis occurs secondary to inflammation of the "joint" between the breastbone and the ribs. Listed below are some common illnesses that can cause chest pain. Fortunately, most chest pain in children is caused by benign or self-limited illnesses. Chest pain may be a symptom of a serious underlying disease.