Abstract

Aim: We aimed to determine the etiology of chest pain and the diagnostic value of cardiac enzymes in the differential diagnosis in children who were admitted to our pediatric emergency ward. Methods: A hundred children with chest pain who were admitted to the emergency ward during October 2003-March 2004 at Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Hospital were included in the study. Detailed history, physical examination, psychiatric evaluation and several laboratory tests including electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac enzymes (CK, CK-MB, Troponin I) were evaluated. Results: Sharp pain was the most freguent type and left precordıal region was the most common location of the chest pain. Frequency of chest pain in our study group were found to be 53% idiopathic, 18% musculoskeletal, 15% psychiatric, 6% cardiac, 5% respiratory and 4% gastrointestinal system origin. Cardiac enzyme levels were found within the normal ranges in both the patients and the controls (p< 0.05). Concîusion: Chest pain due to cardiovascular origin is rare in pediatric age group, however morbidity and mortality rates can be high. Therefore, chest pain in children must be evaluated cautiously to determine if it is originated from cardiovascular system or not. Troponin I should not be done rutinely except in patients with cardiac chest pain in childhood.