Pectus carinatum

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Bowed chest (pigeon breast)

Ribcage

Pigeon breast

No specific care is indicated for this condition.

Call your health care provider if you notice that your child's chest seems abnormal in shape.

A brace may be used to treat children and young adolescents.

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the patient's medical history and symptoms. Question may include:

• When did you first notice this? Was it present at birth, or did it develop as the child grew?
• Is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Pulmonary function testing may be useful to determine the impact of the deformity on the performance of the heart and lungs. Laboratory studies such as chromosome studies , enzyme assays, x-rays, or metabolic studies may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.

Surgery is a possible treatment option. There have been some reports of improved exercise ability and improved lung perfusion scans after surgery.

Review Date: 09/29/2006
Reviewed By: Patrika M. Tsai, MD, MPH, Specialist in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Foster City, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.