The evaluation of chest pain in children begins with a medical history and physical examination.

Physical findings in children with chest pain may include:

• Congested lungs
• Wheezing
• Heart murmur
• Pericardial rub
• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid pulse

Testing is usually not necessary to determine the underlying cause for chest pain in children.

Tests that may be used to evaluate chest pain in children include:

• Complete blood count
• Urinalysis
• Chest x-ray:
• Normal chest x-ray
• Collapsed lung
• Pulse oximetry
• Rib x-rays

Less commonly performed tests that may be used to evaluate chest pain in children include:

• CT scanning of the chest
• Echocardiogram
• Pulmonary function tests
• EKG