Internalizing Symptoms and Functional Disability in Children With Noncardiac Chest Pain and Innocent Heart Murmurs

Objective To examine the occurrence of internalizing symptoms and functional disability in children with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) compared with children with innocent heart murmurs (IHMs). Method 67 children with NCCP (M [SD] age1⁄4 12.61 [2.63]; 68.7% Caucasian) and 62 children with IHM (M [SD] age1⁄4 12.67 [2.62]; 50% Caucasian) were recruited from pediatric cardiology offices. Children and parents completed measures of psychological functioning and functional disability during a first visit to the cardiologist before diagnosis. Results Children with NCCP reported greater levels of anxiety, depression, and anxiety sensitivity than children with IHM. Children with NCCP and their parents reported greater levels of functional disability and somatization than children with IHM and their parents. Conclusion Children with NCCP experience greater levels of psychosocial distress and impairment than similarly physically healthy children with IHM. Consideration of psychosocial influences on NCCP would likely be beneficial in aiding assessment and treatment.