Health Library

Chest pain is an uncomfortable, tight, or painful feeling in the chest. Chest pain may go away on its own and usually isn't dangerous. There are many possible causes of a child's chest pain. These may include:

1. A pulled muscle (strain).
2. Muscle cramps.
3. A pinched nerve.
4. Coughing.
5. Stress.
6. Breathing too quickly or deeply (hyperventilating).
7. Acid reflux or heartburn.

Some causes of chest pain are more serious than others. These include:

1. A direct hit to the chest.
2. A lung infection (pneumonia).
3. Asthma.
4. Inflammation of the lining of the lung (pleuritis).
5. Heart problems. These are rare in children.

Your child's health care provider may do lab tests to find the cause of your child's chest pain. Treatment will depend on the cause of your child's chest pain.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

1. Give your child medicines only as told.
2. If your child was given antibiotics, give them as told. Do not stop giving the antibiotics even if your child starts to feel better.
3. Do not give your child aspirin. It can make them very sick.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

a. Use ice or an ice pack as told.

1. Place a towel between your child's skin and the ice.
2. Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

b. If your child's skin turns red, take off the ice right away to prevent skin damage. The risk of damage is higher if your child can't feel pain, heat, or cold.

Activity

a. Have your child rest as told. Your child should avoid any activities that cause chest pain.

1. Ask if it's OK for your child to lift. Do not allow your child to lift anything until their provider tells you it's OK.

b. Ask what things are safe for your child to do at home. Ask when your child can go back to school.

General instructions

1. Ask when your child's test results will be ready and how to get them. You may need to call or meet with their provider to get the results.
2. Watch your child's condition for any changes.
3. Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's provider. Your child may be asked to have more testing if the chest pain doesn't go away.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. Your child coughs up white mucus that's thick.
2. Your child's chest pain doesn't go away.
3. You notice changes in your child's symptoms, or they develop new symptoms.

Contact your child's provider right away if:

1. Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
2. Your child is 3 months old or older and has a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.
3. Your child has a fever, and they look or act sick in a way that worries you.

If you can't reach the provider, go to an urgent care or emergency room.

Get help right away if your child:

1. Has chest pain that becomes very bad and radiates into their neck, arms, or jaw.
2. Has trouble breathing.
3. Has a fever and symptoms suddenly get worse.
4. Has a heart that starts to beat fast while they are at rest.
5. Faints.
6. Coughs up blood.
7. Has chest pain that gets worse.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.  Consult a Doctor Immediately.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.