Chest pain has a wide variety of causes and can arise from almost any structure in the chest. These include the lungs, ribs, chest wall muscles, diaphragm, and the joints between the sternum and ribs. Damage, infection or irritation of these tissues may be responsible for chest pain. More rarely, the pain may originate from a different area (such as the abdomen). Chest pain may also be a symptom of stress or anxiety. Rarely, chest pain in children may be caused by the heart.
Which Diseases Cause Chest Pain?
Chest pain may be a symptom of a serious underlying disease. Fortunately, most chest pain in children is caused by benign (benign) and self-limiting diseases. Some diseases that cause chest pain are listed below.
Costochondritis
Injury
Stress and Anxiety
Precordial Catch Syndrome
Reflux
Costochondritis occurs secondary to inflammation of the joint between the breastbone and the ribs. It occurs especially in adolescent and pre-adolescent girls, but can be seen at any age.
It is often caused by viral diseases and frequent coughing, and this disease is usually accompanied by upper respiratory tract symptoms. It may take several weeks. Pain may occur with deep breathing, but shortness of breath usually does not occur. If there is shortness of breath, other diseases should be considered.
The characteristic of costochondritis is the depressions on the edges of the breastbone, which correspond to the sensitivity applied to the costochondrol joint.
Which Heart Diseases Cause Chest Pain in Children?
Unlike adults, heart-related chest pain is very rare in children. When looking at the causes of chest pain, it should be kept in mind that the following conditions are quite rare.
Pericarditis
Coronary Artery Anomalies
Mitral Valve Prolapse (Collapse)
Arterial Aneurysm
Other Causes of Chest Pain
It is inflammation of the heart membrane. Usually treatable or self-limiting It occurs due to infections that can occur; But it can also be seen due to more serious reasons. Pericarditis pain is typically sharp, felt in the middle of the sternum and may radiate to the shoulders.
The pain decreases when sitting and leaning forward. Cough, shortness of breath and fever are also often present with chest pain.
What Should I Do If My Child Has Chest Pain?
Don't panic. Remember that chest pain is mostly due to benign and self-limiting diseases. The likelihood of heart disease or another serious illness is very low.
But if your child has severe chest pain or is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, sweating, or a heart rate over 200, you should see a doctor immediately. . Children who have chest pain while doing sports should definitely go to a pediatric cardiologist for a check-up.
If these symptoms are not present, you can wait for the appropriate time to have most chest pain evaluated. If you are not sure, you should call your doctor.
If I Think My Child Needs to See a Doctor, Which Doctor Should We See?
Child Health and Diseases Specialist evaluates the causes of chest pain and examines pediatric cardiology, pulmonology. It directs you to branches such as, if necessary. The causes of chest pain fall under the umbrella of different specialties. Your doctor will decide which doctor would be more appropriate when you need to see a specialist.
If My Child Especially Says "My Heart Hurts"?
For most young children, the organ they know most in the chest is the heart. . That's why they use this expression to refer to all kinds of chest pain.
The good news is that these children can rarely distinguish between heart-related and non-cardiac chest pain, so they are unlikely to be justified in blaming the heart.
p>
The bad news is that once the family and caregivers hear this statement, it can be very difficult to convince them that the heart is not responsible.
Children with heart pain are treated like other children with chest pain. Evaluate, paying attention to the degree and associated symptoms It should be done.
Read: 0