SLIPPING RIB SYNDROME AS A CAUSE OF CHEST PAIN IN CHILDREN

Four patients with the slipping rib syndrome presenting as chest pain are described, and the appropriate literature is reviewed, In two Of t he patients the physicians caring for the children were initially conc erned that a cardiac condition was the cause of the chest pain, and a cardiac evaluation was done, In one patient an emotional cause for the pain was first considered and then a cardiac cause was pursued. In th e last patient esophagitis was thought to be the cause and the child w as referred to a gastroenterologist. It is suggested that slipping rib syndrome should be considered by physicians when evaluating children with a complaint of chest pain. The condition can be easily diagnosed on physical examination and therefore may save some patients from an u nnecessary cardiac or gastroentestinal evaluation.