CHEST PAIN IN CHILDREN A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Thirty five children with a primary complaint of chest pain were prospectively studied. The average age was 9.7 years for boys and 8. 9 years for girls 60% were male. The most frequently diagnosed cause was psychogenic (54.2%). Forty percent of the patients were classified as having idiopathic chest pain. Precordial pain was encountered in 2. 9%), along with costochondritis and mitral valve prolapse. It is concluded that chest pain in children is a relatively benign symptom which is infrequently associated with a serious underlying organic condition extensive laboratory investigations are not required. Psychogenic chest pain is a prevalent problem that commonly causes considerable anxiety in children and their families.