Why does my baby have a dent in his chest?

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Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital deformity (a defect that is present at birth) in which the chest appears sunken. The condition is sometimes called concave chest or funnel chest. The deformity can become more visible as your child grows up, especially during puberty.

What is the indentation above the sternum?

What is pectus excavatum? Pectus excavatum is an abnormal development of the rib cage in which the sternum (breastbone) grows inward, resulting in a noticeable and sometimes severe indentation of the chest wall.

How do I know if my baby has pectus excavatum?

In infancy, symptoms of pectus excavatum can include: a hollow depression in the chest that may be broad and shallow, deep and narrow, or irregular. more rapid breathing than normal.

Is dent in chest normal?

For many people with pectus excavatum, the only sign or symptom is a slight indentation in their chests. In some people, the depth of the indentation worsens in early adolescence and can continue to worsen into adulthood. In severe cases of pectus excavatum, the breastbone may compress the lungs and heart.

At what age does pectus excavatum occur?

Pectus excavatum may not be noticeable at birth. By the age of two or three years, however, it is apparent. It can get worse during childhood and puberty.

Can pectus excavatum go away?

Pectus excavatum will likely not go away. However, you can perform exercises to minimize its effects on your day-to-day life.

Does pectus excavatum go away?

Can pigeon chest correct itself?

Pigeon chest is unlikely to get better by itself. In some mild cases, weightlifting and exercise can build muscles in the chest, which can help to mask the shape of the breastbone.

When is surgery needed for pectus excavatum?

The ideal age for surgical treatment of pectus excavatum is between 12 and 18 years. The goal of surgery to correct a pectus excavatum defect is to improve breathing, posture, and cardiac function, in addition to giving the chest a normal appearance. This is typically accomplished by repositioning the breastbone.