Noncardiac chest pain in children and adolescents: a biopsychosocial conceptualization

Abstract

Pediatric NCCP may be characterized by recurrent pain accompanied by emotional distress and functional impairment. This paper reviews and critiques literature on pediatric noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) and introduces a theoretical conceptualization to guide future study of NCCP in children and adolescents. A developmentally informed biopsychosocial conceptualization of NCCP etiology is proposed based on a synthesis of empirical evidence and clinical observations of pediatric NCCP within the context of relevant findings from the broader pediatric pain and anxiety literature. Multiple factors from biological, psychological, social, familial, and developmental domains are potentially relevant to the etiology of this ailment. This article concludes with directions for future research and clinical implications.