Follow-up survey of children and adolescents with chest pain

The purposes of this study were to identify the outcome of chest pain in children and to identify the incidence of recurrent chest pain and the need for further medical services.

A telephone survey was conducted of pediatric patients evaluated in the cardiology clinic for chest pain.

In the majority of patients (53 of 55), chest pain was thought to be noncardiac in origin. Fifteen patients were offered therapy, and all followed the therapy. Most (10 of 15) thought the therapy was helpful. Forty-one (75%) were satisfied with the explanation given to them. Twenty-six had recurrent chest pain, 12 had pain that was severe, 13 thought the pain interfered with daily activities, and 10 sought further medical care. With the secondary evaluation of chest pain, the diagnosis changed in 9 of 10 cases.

Chest pain in children is generally benign. However, chest pain can be recurrent and severe, interfering with activities of daily life.