What does pectus look like?
In severe cases, pectus excavatum can look as if the center of the chest has been scooped out, leaving a deep dent. While the sunken breastbone is often noticeable shortly after birth, the severity of pectus excavatum typically worsens during the adolescent growth spurt.
What is pectus excavatum associated with?
Marfan Syndrome Abnormal growth and elongation of the hyaline cartilaginous connection between the ribs and breastbone, known as the costal cartilage, results in either compression (pectus excavatum) or protrusion (pectus carinatum) of the breastbone (sternum).
Why is my chest bone uneven?
The Causes of an Uneven Rib Cage. An uneven rib cage can be the result of trauma, a birth defect, or another condition. If your rib cage is only slightly uneven, you may be able to improve your condition with repeated stretching and exercise. More serious cases of rib cage unevenness may need to be fixed surgically.
Is pectus excavatum unattractive?
Pectus excavatum (PE) is a congenital deformity essentially responsible for an unattractive aspect, much more rarely for compression problems.
What causes pectus excavatum?
Pectus excavatum is caused by the abnormal growth in the chest of the connective tissues (cartilage) that attach the breastbone (sternum) to the ribs.
Can pectus excavatum get worse?
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. Pectus excavatum is clearly visible as a sunken portion in the center of a child’s chest. This may cause a child concern.
Is pectus excavatum fatal?
3 doctors agreed: Pectus Excavatum: Pectus Excavatum can range from very mild to severe. The symptoms are typically related to the severity of the pectus, ranging from completely asymptomatic to possible cardio-pulmonary problems. No: Scoliosis in itself is not fatal.
What is mild pectus deformity?
Pectus excavatum is a deformity that occurs in approximately one out of 1,000 children. It is characterized by a concavity of the sternum. The disorder is about five times more common in boys than girls and is usually noted at birth as a mild condition but can become progressively more pronounced over time.