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What Causes Sharp Chest Pain In A Child?

Posted on Wed, 26 Apr 2017

Question: My 10 year old daughter has been complaining about sharp chest pain that lasts less then a minute, for about 4 days. It hurts next to her breastbone, almost where breasts would start if she had them. Anyway, she just started soccer practice and intense swimming classes. The pain comes and goes, at random times she says. My dad just passed away, not sure if it's anxiety, pulled muscle, costochondritis? It happens between 4-10 times a day but doesn't affect her when she is running a mile during practice. Thoughts?? No family history of heart disease.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pulled muscle, costochondritis, cardiac causes are less likely

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

Intermittent brief episodes of chest pain with normal daily activities is less likely due to pulled muscle, costochondritis or cardiac cause.
In pulled muscle and costochondritis child may not be able to perform her daily activities. In costochondritis there is also pain while pressing the affected area.
In cardiac causes usually there is associated breathing difficulty, abnormal feeling of heart beat, sweating and restlessness.
So all these causes are very less likely.
Anxiety may be a reason for chest pain. But unless it persists longer or hampering daily activities no specific treatment is needed.
Sometimes even after proper evaluation no underlying problem can be detected and symptom improves on its own over a period of time.
I won't get worried for this chest pain as the child is active, feeding well and there is no associated significant problem.
Just watch for next 2-3 days and if symptom worsens or persists longer consult a physician for clinical evaluation.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Wishing for your child's good health.
Regardd

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (13 minutes later)

If I push on the spot where she says it hurts, she says it feels tender. Her pain happens 4-10 times a day. Also 3 months ago she was diagnosed by MRI and ultrasound as having a hematoma next to her spine. That lump has gotten smaller but isn't completely dissolved yet. Would that cause these pains? It's next to her spine between her shoulder blades, it's not connected to the spine though. Like I said, it's gotten smaller but my anxiety is wondering if this lump is causing her pain :(

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think this pain is related to haematoma

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I don't think that this pain is related to haematoma
because of site which is different and also because hematoma pain usually does not persist so longer.
The only thing I am concerned about is that you have mentioned that there is tenderness. This tenderness can be there due to muscle pull/sprain.
Again costochondritis is unlikely becomes that usually causes persistent pain and also there should be swelling in that particular area.
I rule out anxiety which I was thinking earlier because of presence of tenderness.
Here I would suggest you to watch for next three to four days as this pain is not disturbing daily activities and if symptom worsens or persists longer please consult a physician for proper evaluation.

I shall be glad to help you furtger if you need any.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana