What is the most common congenital chest deformity?
Pectus excavatum is the most common type of chest wall deformity, affecting 1 out of every 300 to 400 children and three times as many boys as girls. Pectus carinatum, also known as pigeon chest or raised chest, is a condition where the breastbone and ribs protrude.
What are the sternal abnormalities?
Sternal defects can be categorized into four types, all of which are rare: thoracic ectopia cordis, cervical ectopia cordis, thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis, and cleft sternum. Thoracic ectopia cordis, or naked heart, is the result of failure of somatic structures to form over the heart, leaving it completely exposed.
Is pectus excavatum a congenital deformity?
Pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity of the chest wall that causes several ribs and the breastbone (sternum) to grow in an inward direction.
What causes pectus deformity?
Causes and risk factors Pectus carinatum is caused by the abnormal development of the cartilage that connects the ribs. The exact cause is not known. The condition can run in families, however, so genetics may be a risk factor. Pectus carinatum occurs more frequently in people who have specific genetic conditions.
Why does my son’s chest stick out?
Pectus carinatum (PC, or pigeon chest) is a chest wall deformity where there is overgrowth of the cartilage between the ribs and the sternum (breastbone), causing the middle of the chest to stick out. PC is most common in adolescent males, and 90 per cent of cases are diagnosed after children are 11 years old.
Is pectus excavatum a genetic disorder?
There is no known cause for pectus excavatum. It can sometimes run in families — which suggests genetics may play a role. Pectus excavatum can also be associated with connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome.
How is a sternal cleft a rare congenital malformation?
Congenital malformation. Sternal cleft is a rare congenital malformation. It is due to a partial or total failure of sternal fusion at an early stage of embryological development. When it is associated with cardiac anomaly, the clinical outcome may be unfavorable.
When do you know you have a sternal cleft?
It is due to a partial or total failure of sternal fusion at an early stage of embryological development. When it is associated with cardiac anomaly, the clinical outcome may be unfavorable. Complete sternal cleft, although asymptomatic, is easily diagnosed at birth, being obvious due to the abnormal movements of the thorax.
When does the ossification of the sternum start?
It starts cranially, at the manubrium and finishes distally at the xiphoid process. The sternal cleft may be partial or total, depending when the development process stopped. The defect could be superior, inferior or complete. The ossification of the sternum starts in the 5th month of embryonic life [2].