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Gastroesophageal reflux, eosinophilic esophagitis, and foreign body

Jose M Garza1, Ajay Kaul

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 2010, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|November 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Gastrointestinal issues are rare causes of chest pain in children, though conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis and GERD can occur. Most are not life-threatening, but diagnosis often requires further evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

  • Chest pain is a frequent pediatric complaint, but gastrointestinal origins are uncommon.
  • Identifying the precise cause of pediatric chest pain is crucial for appropriate management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review common gastrointestinal conditions presenting as chest pain in children.
  • To highlight the diagnostic considerations for these rare causes of pediatric chest pain.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders associated with chest pain.
  • Analysis of clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management strategies.

Main Results:

  • Four primary gastrointestinal conditions identified: eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal dysmotility, and foreign body ingestion.
  • Most of these conditions, excluding certain foreign body ingestions, are not life-threatening.
  • Clinical history and associated symptoms can guide diagnosis, but further investigations are frequently necessary.

Conclusions:

  • Gastrointestinal causes of chest pain in children, while uncommon, necessitate thorough evaluation.
  • Accurate diagnosis of conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis and GERD is essential for effective treatment.
  • Distinguishing between benign and potentially serious gastrointestinal etiologies is key in pediatric chest pain management.

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