How to recover from pigeon chest in children?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Childhood pectus carinatum is a common clinical condition, primarily caused by a deficiency in vitamin D leading to metabolic bone disease. Its characteristics are mainly manifested by the protrusion of the sternum and flattening of the chest walls on both sides. There are several treatment methods available: First, supplement children with calcium tablets and vitamin D, promptly administer these medications, and encourage exposure to sunlight and outdoor activities during the growth process, which is beneficial for bone calcium absorption. Additionally, the child should wear a brace specifically for pectus carinatum. The brace compresses the chest cavity, causing it to protrude upward. After wearing the brace for a period, the protruding chest can show improvement. If previous treatment methods are ineffective and severe sternal deformities still occur, surgical treatment at a specialized hospital may be necessary. In daily life, the child should be cautious about their posture and body position, avoiding rolling, bending, and similar actions as much as possible to facilitate a quicker recovery.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
1min 10sec home-news-image

How to recover from pigeon chest in children?

Childhood pectus carinatum is a common clinical condition, primarily caused by a deficiency in vitamin D leading to metabolic bone disease. Its characteristics are mainly manifested by the protrusion of the sternum and flattening of the chest walls on both sides. There are several treatment methods available: First, supplement children with calcium tablets and vitamin D, promptly administer these medications, and encourage exposure to sunlight and outdoor activities during the growth process, which is beneficial for bone calcium absorption. Additionally, the child should wear a brace specifically for pectus carinatum. The brace compresses the chest cavity, causing it to protrude upward. After wearing the brace for a period, the protruding chest can show improvement. If previous treatment methods are ineffective and severe sternal deformities still occur, surgical treatment at a specialized hospital may be necessary. In daily life, the child should be cautious about their posture and body position, avoiding rolling, bending, and similar actions as much as possible to facilitate a quicker recovery.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
42sec home-news-image

What department should I go to at the children's hospital for chickenpox?

If children have pectus carinatum and need treatment, it is necessary to check if the children's hospital has a specialized thoracic surgery department. If there is a pediatric thoracic surgery department, one can make an appointment there. Generally, for mild cases of pectus carinatum, children do not need surgery and can undergo conservative treatment, such as having a custom chest orthosis made. Wearing the chest orthosis can correct the condition. If the pectus carinatum is severe, and the child is over four years old, then surgery can be considered in the thoracic surgery department. Therefore, for pectus carinatum, appointments need to be made with the thoracic surgery department at a children's hospital.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Late-stage symptoms of rickets pigeon chest

If a child has developed rickets and has already shown deformities such as pigeon chest, this indicates that the child is in the later stages of the active phase, meaning that a clear skeletal deformity has occurred. As the child ages, there may also be deformities in the lower limbs as the child begins to stand and walk, such as bowlegs or knock-knees, or a K-shaped leg deformity. Gradually, the child will enter the sequelae phase, which is more common in children over the age of two. In infancy, due to severe rickets, different skeletal deformities may remain without any other clinical symptoms. Blood biochemical indicators are normal, and X-ray examinations will show that the pathological changes at the epiphyseal ends of the bones have disappeared. Generally, no treatment is required, but if there are obvious deformities, corrective treatment may be necessary.

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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 Mo Ming Hua
Pediatrics
28sec home-news-image

The difference between rickets and pigeon chest.

The difference between rickets and pigeon chest: Pigeon chest is a symptom of rickets; rickets is mainly caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium, leading to disorders in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. During the acute phase of rickets, when skeletal changes occur, this condition can easily cause deformities in the patient's chest. The pigeon chest deformity is one of the symptoms of rickets. That is to say, pigeon chest is a symptom of rickets, not a disease itself.