bone malformation

Posted by Mumugou on May 28, 1999 at 14:28:20
My little boy is 4,5 years old and I noticed about 2 months ago that his chest wasn't even.  You can feel the bone much higher on the left side. My doctor didn't seem concerned and just told me to watch it. Could it be because he is very skiny, or because he is growing ? Or could it be a lack of vitamins like calcium or vitamin d. Or could he be suffering from rickets ?
Thank you in advance for your response
Posted by HVM M.D. - EV on June 02, 1999 at 23:13:09
DEAR MUMUGOU,
     THANK YOU FOR YOUR INQUIRY.
     UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT WITHOUT SEEING YOUR SON.  BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE OFTEN SEE A SMALL DEGREE OF ASYMMETRY IN A CHILD'S CHEST.  OF COURSE, THE DEGREE OF ASYMMETRY IS THE CONCERN.  I WOULD PROBABLY BE INCLINED TO FOLLOW YOUR SON OVER TIME - AS YOUR DOCTOR SUGGESTED - AND LOOK FOR ANY EXAGGERATED ASYMMETRY. THE LIKELIHOOD OF RICKETS OR MINERAL DEFICIENCY WOULD BE VERY LOW IF YOUR SON IS OTHERWISE FINE.  HOWEVER, AN XRAY OR A FEW BLOOD TESTS CAN BE REASSURING IF THE ASYMMETRY PROGRESSES.  IF YOUR SON IS VERY THIN AND HIS BONES ARE FAIRLY PROMINENT - THAT COULD MAKE YOUR FINDINGS MORE OBVIOUS.  IN ANY CASE - I THINK CLOSE FOLLOW UP OVER TIME WILL PROVIDE THE MOST INFORMATION.  GOOD LUCK -   DR. EV.