Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
09:45

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children

Published on: April 29, 2013

Internalizing symptoms and functional disability in children with noncardiac chest pain and innocent heart murmurs

Jennifer L Lee1, Jordan Gilleland, Robert M Campbell

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-3013, USA. jenlee09@gmail.com

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|November 8, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) experience more anxiety, depression, and functional disability than those with innocent heart murmurs (IHMs). Psychosocial factors significantly impact NCCP in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Child Psychology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

  • Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a common pediatric concern.
  • Differentiating physical from psychological origins of chest pain is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare internalizing symptoms and functional disability in children with NCCP versus those with innocent heart murmurs (IHMs).
  • To investigate the role of psychosocial distress in pediatric noncardiac chest pain.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 67 children with NCCP and 62 children with IHMs.
  • Utilized validated measures of psychological functioning and functional disability administered during initial cardiology consultations.

Main Results:

  • Children with NCCP reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and anxiety sensitivity compared to children with IHMs.
  • Both children with NCCP and their parents reported increased functional disability and somatization.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients with NCCP exhibit greater psychosocial distress and functional impairment than healthy children with IHMs.
  • Psychosocial factors are integral to the assessment and treatment of noncardiac chest pain in children.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Heart Sounds01:15

Heart Sounds

Heart sounds are generated by the turbulence in blood flow due to the closing of heart valves. These sounds are best perceived slightly away from the valves, where the blood flow disseminates the sound.
Auscultation is the process of listening to these internal body sounds using a stethoscope. The heart produces four types of sounds, but only two—S1 and S2—can usually be heard with a stethoscope.
S1, also known as the "lub" sound, is caused by the closure of atrioventricular (A-V) valves at the...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography01:17

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography

Cardiac imaging studies encompass a wide range of noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques designed to visualize the heart's structure and function in detail. One such technique is echocardiography, which uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce detailed images of the heart, known as echocardiograms.
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...