Symptoms of pigeon chest in children

Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Most cases of pectus carinatum in children are quite clear and often show no symptoms. Visually, the child's chest will protrude forward. In some severe cases, pectus carinatum can cause compression of pulmonary edema, thereby affecting the child's cardiopulmonary function, resulting in poor physical stamina, symptoms like chest tightness, palpitations, and shortness of breath after activities. However, in most cases, patients with pectus carinatum may not show any symptoms, with only visible changes in appearance.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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Symptoms of pigeon chest in children

Most cases of pectus carinatum in children are quite clear and often show no symptoms. Visually, the child's chest will protrude forward. In some severe cases, pectus carinatum can cause compression of pulmonary edema, thereby affecting the child's cardiopulmonary function, resulting in poor physical stamina, symptoms like chest tightness, palpitations, and shortness of breath after activities. However, in most cases, patients with pectus carinatum may not show any symptoms, with only visible changes in appearance.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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Treatment methods for pigeon chest in children

When discussing treatment methods for children with pectus carinatum, it's important to consider the severity of the condition. Generally, mild to moderate cases do not require special treatment. For children under 18, most can wear a chest orthosis to correct the condition. Many people achieve good results after wearing it. However, some severe cases of pectus carinatum may compress the heart and lungs, causing cardiopulmonary dysfunction, and surgical treatment should be considered. Current surgical methods for pectus carinatum are minimally invasive, and generally, patients recover well postoperatively. Therefore, the treatment method for pectus carinatum should be determined based on the actual situation.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to determine if a baby has pigeon chest

Pectus carinatum, commonly referred to as pigeon chest, is a manifestation of the skeletal sequelae of rickets in children, where the sternum protrudes outward. To examine for pigeon chest, one commonly uses the hand to feel from top to bottom; if the sternum is noticeably protruding from the surface, then pigeon chest may be considered. This condition is a sequelae caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D. If this is the case, it is essential to visit a pediatric care, growth and development, or general pediatric outpatient clinic, where a pediatrician can confirm the diagnosis. If pigeon chest is confirmed, blood tests to measure Vitamin D levels should be conducted for infants. For older children, appropriate calcium supplementation and exercises to expand the chest should also be considered.

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Written by Hu Xiao Cui
Nutrition Science
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Will chicken breast caused by calcium deficiency improve after calcium supplementation?

Children lacking Vitamin D can manifest various symptoms of rickets due to calcium deficiency, including pigeon chest, beading of the ribs, X-shaped legs, O-shaped legs, and square skull. As long as these are identified early, by supplementing with Vitamin D and calcium and ensuring comprehensive nutrition, children can return to normal growth and development. With age and appropriate physical exercise, these skeletal abnormalities can gradually improve and generally do not leave lasting effects.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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Causes of pectus carinatum in children

The causes of pigeon chest in children mainly include two aspects, one is congenital and the other is acquired. Among them, congenital pigeon chest and funnel chest both involve hereditary factors. Additionally, if the central attachment point of the diaphragm in a child is underdeveloped, it can also cause pigeon chest, which is also a congenital cause. Moreover, the acquired causes mainly include malnutrition and some specific thoracic diseases. Malnutrition is often related to rickets. Acquired thoracic diseases involve some diseases of the thoracic cavity, for example, pyothorax leading to flat chest, chest wall deformity, as well as some congenital heart diseases, heart enlargement, which then compresses the sternum causing it.