Purpose
Chest pain is common in children and adolescents and is a reason for referral to Pediatric Emergency Unit. Although most cases of chest pain in these age groups are benign and do not require treatment, timely diagnosis is important not to miss life-threatening diseases requiring prompt treatment. The authors investigated characteristics of frequent causes of chest pain in children and adolescents attending Assiut University Children Hospital.
Materials and methods
A total of 84 991 patients attending Assiut University Children Hospital between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017 were evaluated for presence of chest pain. All patients complaining of chest pain were studied for causes, clinical characteristics, precipitating factors of chest pain, and signs on physical examination.
Results
Overall, 400 patients presented with chest pain with an incidence of 0.4%. Most cases of chest pain were musculoskeletal in origin (42.2%), followed by cases with respiratory (17.2%), psychiatric (10%), cardiac (12.5%), gastrointestinal (8.7%), miscellaneous (8%), and idiopathic (1.2%).
Conclusion
Through this study, we would like to emphasize a careful diagnostic approach for chest pain. A careful history and physical examination must guide the assessment of children and adolescents presenting with chest pain.