How to determine if a baby has pigeon chest

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 22, 2024
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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 Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 6sec home-news-image

How to correct pigeon chest

Pectus carinatum, commonly known as pigeon chest, is a frequent chest wall deformity characterized by a protrusion of the sternum and ribs. It is generally considered to be related to genetics, with most cases thought to be caused by the excessive growth of the ribs and costal cartilages. The skeletal deformation is secondary to the abnormalities in the ribs. Vitamin D deficiency rickets can also lead to the development of pigeon chest. If there is no significant deformation of the chest wall, and only a mild deformity is present, rehabilitative treatment can be effective. Rehabilitation departments offer standard recovery treatments that can be beneficial. Severe cases of pigeon chest may require surgical correction, ideally during adolescence for moderate to severe conditions. Therefore, if a child has pigeon chest, it is recommended to seek medical advice at a hospital, where doctors can determine the treatment approach based on the specific conditions of the child.

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Written by Fang Da Zheng
Orthopedics
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The difference between rib flare and pigeon chest

The main difference between rib flaring and pigeon chest is that the former is caused by soft tissue pathology around the thoracic cage, while the latter is due to a bony deformity of the thoracic cage. Patients with rib flaring often have very thin muscles around the thoracic cage due to poor posture, such as excessive abdominal tucking or long-term dieting, which leads to a very prominent thoracic cage when standing. Pigeon chest, on the other hand, is due to severe malnutrition during the patient's growth and development phase, which leads to the anteroposterior diameter of the thoracic cage being larger relative to the mediolateral diameter. In this case, the patient will exhibit a noticeably protruding thoracic cage, especially at the front.

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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 Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Difference between funnel chest and pigeon chest

Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are both types of deformities of the anterior chest wall, with pectus excavatum being the most common deformity, accounting for 90% of all anterior chest wall deformities; the incidence of pectus carinatum is only one-fifth to one-sixth of that of pectus excavatum. The shapes of pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are also completely different. Pectus excavatum appears as if a funnel were placed on the chest, with the funnel receding backward and downward. Therefore, patients with pectus excavatum, when lying down, can observe a depression in the front of their chest, which is even capable of holding a cup of water placed within this funnel-like depression. On the other hand, the deformity in pectus carinatum protrudes forward. One caves inward while the other protrudes forward, thus these two shapes are completely opposite.