Restoring My Complexion

Inflammations That Cause Chest Pain In Children

13 July 2015 by Dylan Owens

Hearing complaints of chest pain from your child can be a terrifying experience. Your mind automatically jumps to worst-case scenarios, such as heart disease or a premature heart attack. Thankfully, chest pain isn't uncommon in children – and it's typically caused by a non-fatal inflammation. With proper care, your child should be able to cope with chest pain and relieve the inflammation at the same time.

Types of Musculoskeletal Inflammations

The muscular and skeletal systems are closely connected. As they work together to promote movement and body function, they are referred to as a single structure called the musculoskeletal system. Because the heart and lungs interact to oxygenate the organs and bones of your body, they play a crucial role in the musculoskeletal function.

Inflammation in the musculoskeletal system can result in chest pain – especially in young children who are still developing. Common types of inflammation include:

• Bronchitis: Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi, part of the lungs that expands upon inhalation. When inflamed, breathing sends sharp pains throughout the chest cavity, making your child feel like their heart hurts. Bronchitis is generally preceded by a severe cold. Symptoms include coughing up phlegm and sometimes a fever.
• Pleurisy: Pleurisy is another lung inflammation. It also inflames the chest wall and can cause sharp pains when breathing. Pleurisy can be caused by a number of factors ranging from a wound (for example, an injury from playing contact sports), to an infection (viral or bacterial), to a genetic disorder (such as sickle cell anemia). While pleurisy can work itself out, you should see a doctor to determine the cause of pain so you can prevent it from flaring up in the future.
• Costochondritis: Costochondritis is inflammation in the joints in your chest. It occurs in the cartilage, but symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack – including sharp pains on the left side of the chest, deep pressure near the heart, and difficulty breathing. Most doctors believe costochondritis is caused by an injury or physical strain.
• Myocarditis: Myocarditis is caused by a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection. It leads to the inflammation of heart muscles. Yeast infections – common in infants and young children – can lead to myocarditis. Symptoms to be aware of following infection include fatigue, difficulty breathing, fever, and cold hands and feet. Treatment may require hospitalization and mechanical heart pumps. If myocarditis is moderate, medication may be the only action taken.

Know When to Take Action for Chest Pain

You should never ignore your child's complaints about chest pain. However, you don't necessarily have to rush your child to the emergency room, either. You should schedule an appointment with their pediatrician as soon as possible so your child can get put on the right path to recovery.

While not all scenarios are life-threatening, you should know when to seek immediate attention. If your child displays any of these symptoms, seek emergency care:

• High fever (typically over 104⁰ Fahrenheit)
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing or refusing to eat
• Pain that lasts more than a minute or two

When your child complains of chest pain, your first impulse might be to panic. While you should definitely seek medical attention to diagnose the source of pain, rest assured that chest pain is often caused by something completely treatable. Inflammations around the heart and lungs are common in children, especially if they are active in sports or have been sick and coughing for a while. Instead of panicking, try to assess the symptoms and determine if your child needs immediate attention or can wait to be seen by their pediatrician. 

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