Chest pain in pediatrics

Chest pain in the pediatric population is a common and mostly benign occurr ence. A thorough history and physical examination is usually all that is ne cessary in excluding the rare life-threatening causes of chest pain. These rare life-threatening events require immediate evaluation, treatment, and s ubspecialty consultation. Idiopathic chest pain is the most frequent diagno sis and the symptoms are typically chronic. Laboratory testing is usually n ondiagnostic, costly, and burdensome to the patient and is therefore unnece ssary. A long-term trusting relationship with the patient and family is wha t is needed to reassure them and allow symptoms to resolve.