Differential Diagnosis for Pediatric Right Side Chest Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal pain: This is often the most common cause of chest pain in pediatric patients, resulting from strain or overuse of the muscles and bones in the chest wall. The pain is typically sharp and worsens with movement or deep breathing.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pneumonia: An infection of the lung that can cause chest pain, cough, and difficulty breathing. The pain is usually sharp and worsens with deep breathing or coughing.
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining surrounding the lungs, which can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing.
- Asthma: A chronic condition that causes inflammation and constriction of the airways, leading to chest pain, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus can cause chest pain, especially after eating or at night.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumothorax: A life-threatening condition where air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. The pain is usually severe and sudden, and worsens with deep breathing or movement.
- Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to the lungs, which can cause sudden and severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing.
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, which can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and palpitations.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart, which can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or movement.
Rare Diagnoses
- Tietze's syndrome: A rare condition that causes inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the chest wall, leading to sharp chest pain and swelling.
- Sickle cell disease: A genetic disorder that can cause episodes of severe chest pain due to sickling of red blood cells in the lungs.
- Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that can cause chronic lung infections and inflammation, leading to chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- Thoracic spine fracture: A rare condition that can cause severe chest pain and difficulty breathing due to a fracture of the thoracic spine.