Pigeon Chest

Ryan has pectus carinatum.

To read more about it, click here.

It was actually brought to our attention when Ryan was about 3 years old. But since the doctor didn't really stress much about it, we didn't think that it was anything serious. I didn't even get the specific term for his chest protrusion until a week ago when I took him to see the doctor after Ryan complained that his chest was a bit pain.

Pectus carinatum is also known as 'pigeon chest' or 'pigeon breast' where there is a deformity in the sternum where it protrudes outwards. It probably was present from birth but wasn't obvious till he was older. Even when the doctor mentioned to us a few years ago...it didn't look obvious. But over the years, it has gotten slightly more protruding as Ryan is getting older. And now I am getting more worried and more aware of this condition. It worries me whether that as he grows, would this pectus deformity affect the function of his heart and lungs.

So when he complained of chest pain last week,the first paed I took him said that there was probably some inflammation around the cartilage of the protruding ribs..hence the pain. Since at that time, he was having sore throat too. She said as long as he is active and doesn't feel lethargic and breathless, shouldn't be worried about his pectus condition. Second doctor that I asked said that his heart sounds normal, not enlarged...a slight murmur but it is normal. He just advised me to let Ryan do more exercise like swimming. When I asked him whether any corrective procedure can be done like wearing a brace...he said...no need. He said if I want, I can send him for an ECHO to further assess his heart.

Indeed, Ryan doesn't have much stamina since young. And he is always prone to respiratory illnesses. One doctor has mentioned before when he was about one year plus that he has asthmatic tendencies. I am not sure his lung function is also attributed to this pectus deformity.
My next step would be to take him to see Dr. Rosalie Yip at Sunway Med. who is a cardiac paediatrician and see what she advices.

Since Ryan is still young, I think its better for him to get a full evaluation. Next time, if he gets older, it might be harder to correct any problems. Hopefully it is nothing.Perhaps I may sound over paranoid about his condition.But when it comes to our children, we have to do what we can to ensure they are healthy.

Circled is Ryan's deformed sternum.
It would get more prominent as he reaches adolescence.