Treatment methods for pigeon chest in children

Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
Updated on September 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 10sec home-news-image

The difference between pigeon chest and funnel chest

Pigeon chest is a common thoracic deformity characterized by a protruding sternum, generally believed to be related to genetics, and most consider it caused by excessive growth of the ribs and costal cartilage. The deformity of the sternum is secondary to the deformity of the ribs. Funnel chest, on the other hand, refers to the inward concavity of the lower part of the sternum, along with the neighboring ribs and costal cartilages, forming a funnel-like appearance, a type of congenital thoracic deformity more common in males than females. The etiology of funnel chest is relatively complex; it might involve the gradual worsening of the sternum being pulled at various levels during growth and development. It could also be due to excessive growth of the ribs on both sides, pressing the sternum backward, leading to the formation of funnel chest. Some also consider it a sex-linked dominant hereditary disease. The thoracic deformity in pigeon chest primarily protrudes outward, whereas in funnel chest, it concaves inward, and the causes are also different.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
44sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
44sec home-news-image

How to correct pigeon chest in children

Treatment should be decided based on the specific condition of the child's pigeon chest. For mild to moderate pigeon chest, especially in children, where there is no compression on the heart and lungs, conservative treatment should generally be considered. The best method for correction is to pay attention to posture and engage in appropriate physical exercise. Additionally, a thoracic orthotic can be used; the effects of wearing a thoracic orthotic for correcting mild to moderate pigeon chest are generally quite positive. For severe pigeon chest, particularly when there is compression affecting the heart and lungs and thus impacting cardiac and pulmonary function, surgical treatment should be considered to correct the severe pigeon chest.