4 common causes of Chest Pain in Children and Teens

Is your kid crying about a pain in their chest and you’re worried it might be a heart problem? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. This article will help you to know what causes chest pain in children. Get a consultation with the best cardiologists in Brooklyn.

Common conditions that cause chest pain in children

  1. Unknown cause:

A 2020 research found that around 80 to 85% of pediatric chest pain causes are not serious and don’t have a proper cause, these types of cases are called idiopathic. It also may be known as noncardiac chest pain. A 2021 study shows similar idiopathic chest pain as the most common cause of chest pain in the Chinese children population. Related results came in a 2022 study of Japanese children population chest pain cases as the commonest cause of chest pain was idiopathic.

  1. Gastrointestinal causes:

This is another common cause of chest pain in children. It may occur due to gastrointestinal distress from a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It causes a burning sensation in your chest which worsens when your child eats a large meal and lies down for rest.

To improve this, your child needs to make diet changes or take medications to manage GERD’s symptoms such as chest pain.

Several other gastrointestinal and digestive problems such as peptic ulcers, spasms or inflammation in the esophagus, stones in the gallbladder or biliary tree, constipation, pancreatitis, esophageal hiatal hernia, etc. can cause chest pain as well.

  1. Respiratory problems:

According to a 2015 study, respiratory problems followed by idiopathic causes are the most common reason for chest pain in children. So, your child is more likely to experience chest pain related to a respiratory condition than a heart condition.

The most common chest problems that cause chest pain in children are:

  • Asthma:

This is the most common respiratory condition that causes chest pain. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Asthma can be treated with preventive and rescue medications. However, your child needs to avoid environments and substances that can trigger asthma.

  • Respiratory infections:

Certain respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia can cause chest pain and infections in the respiratory system. Your child may experience chest pain and other symptoms such as fever, low energy, coughing, etc.

  • Pulmonary embolism:

This occurs when a blood clot happens in the lung’s arteries and reduces blood flow. Your child may be more vulnerable to this condition if they stay immobile for a while, especially if they have cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, or a family history of the condition. You may notice short or fast breaths, the color of their finger and lips turning blue, and coughing blood. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications.

  1. Mental health causes:

Mental health conditions such as anxiety or stress can cause your child to hyperventilate, which leads to chest pain and other symptoms such as difficulty breathing and dizziness.

If your child has chest pain, then visit our clinic in Brooklyn. Our doctors properly examine your child and treat them, accordingly, visit our pediatric cardiologist clinic in Brooklyn. Our doctors make sure your child receives the best treatment and gets healthy as soon as possible. To book your appointment, call us on +1(347) 384-5690. The Cardiologists at Doral Health & Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. The professionals at Heart Specialist Brooklyn are able to greatly improve their patient’s health and quality of life because of their vast training and experience. New Yorkers can get the greatest medical, surgical, and cardiovascular care at Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.