Differential Diagnosis for a 6 Year Old with Chest Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal Chest Pain: This is the most common cause of chest pain in children, often related to trauma, overuse, or strain of the chest wall muscles. The pain is typically sharp, localized, and reproducible with movement or palpation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Asthma or Reactive Airway Disease: Chest pain can be a symptom of asthma or reactive airway disease, especially if the child has a history of wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD can cause chest pain in children, often accompanied by symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, or abdominal pain.
- Precordial Catch Syndrome: A benign condition characterized by sharp, stabbing chest pain that can be severe but is usually self-limiting and resolves with changes in position or deep breathing.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumonia or Pneumonitis: Infections of the lung can cause chest pain, and it's crucial to consider this diagnosis, especially if the child has fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Although rare in children, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and should be considered, especially if there's a history of trauma, immobilization, or underlying coagulation disorders.
- Myocarditis or Pericarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle or the sac surrounding the heart can cause chest pain and is a medical emergency.
- Aortic Dissection or Rupture: Extremely rare in children but can occur in those with certain genetic conditions (e.g., Marfan syndrome) and requires immediate medical attention.
Rare Diagnoses
- Chest Tumors: Tumors such as neuroblastoma or lymphoma can cause chest pain but are relatively rare in children.
- Sickle Cell Disease Crisis: Children with sickle cell disease can experience chest pain during a crisis due to vaso-occlusion.
- Mitral Valve Prolapse: A condition where the mitral valve doesn't close properly, which can lead to chest pain, although it's more commonly associated with palpitations or shortness of breath.