What causes costochondritis in children?

Costochondritis in children may be caused by trauma, infection, inflammation, excessive exercise, and autoimmune abnormalities. The specific situation requires a comprehensive analysis of the cause and symptomatic treatment, including drug treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and avoiding strenuous exercise.

1 Traumatic factors

One of the common causes of costochondritis in children is external impact or compression, such as falls or sports injuries, which may cause damage to the cartilage tissue in the rib area, which in turn causes inflammation. In such cases, it is necessary to protect the child's chest to avoid secondary injuries, and seek medical attention promptly when symptoms such as pain and swelling occur. If a minor injury is confirmed, cold compresses can be used to relieve pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may be used to relieve inflammation in severe cases.

2 Infectious factors

Inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection may involve the costal cartilage, which is one of the important causes of costochondritis in children. For example, factors such as upper respiratory tract infection may indirectly affect the chest. At this time, relevant examinations such as blood routine and imaging examinations are required to confirm the source of infection, and appropriate antibiotics or antiviral drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

3 Autoimmune disorders

Certain immune-related diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatic fever may also cause inflammation in the costal cartilage area. Parents should seek medical attention if they find that their child's symptoms persist, accompanied by discomfort in the joints or other parts of the spine. Such cases generally require immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or hormone therapy such as prednisone to control the condition.

4. Excessive exercise and repeated stretching

When children engage in strenuous exercise such as football and gymnastics, the chest muscles and cartilage may become inflamed due to repeated stretching. For this reason, it is necessary to reduce the range of motion and switch to light exercise, while taking hot compresses, massage and other methods to relieve local discomfort.

5Other pathological factors

For example, vitamin D deficiency may lead to abnormal bone development and is also a potential cause of costochondritis. To avoid similar problems, it is recommended to ensure that the child's diet contains enough calcium and vitamin D, such as consuming more milk, dark green vegetables, fish, etc.

Early diagnosis and early treatment are critical for children with costochondritis. Parents need to closely observe their children's symptoms. If the child's chest pain worsens or local redness and swelling are obvious, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The doctor's professional evaluation will determine the treatment plan to relieve the child's pain and prevent the disease from worsening.