PLEASE! 20 month old with PECTUS EXCAVATUM!!

[blair4385]

PLEASE! All doctors read this! I have a 20 month old son with Pectus Excavatum. I am seriously worried about my baby. For one thing I took him over a year ago and expressed my concerned about his chest moving inward when he would inhale. I was told that this is normal and he would grow out of it. So a couple of months ago I told them he has not grown out of it and his chest is sucken in and in moves inward when he inhales. They diagnosed him with Pectus Excavatum. Here is my concern, every patient with this deformity doesnt have the movement of the chest/sternum like he does. The only thing they did with him were x-rays. Nothing more. Im not satisfied with this and Im worried for his life, everyday I pray that God will keep my child safe. Please I need a doctor to give me some advice here. Im stressing out! Is his chest moving inward a big cause for concern?? They said the x-rays shows it isnt putting pressure on his heart or lungs, but how can they know that his heart isnt in distress without proper test....I really need some help here, Im begging any medical professional that has answers to please help me with this!

[CHELLETO6DOGS]

Hi there
my son also has a Pectus Ex a small one but he does have one.. he used to get sick with respiratory infections all of the time usually he would end up in the hospital.  Finally he went to an allergist (I think you son is too young to get tested I think it they have to be 2 years) and nothing showed on my son.. then they did a whole series of test.. he immune system was low so thye had to give him a DTaP booster shot as well as a pneumovax (not sure how to spell it)  he was fine for that whole year.. i couldn't believe the difference..they don't feel his pectus has anything to do with it as the xrays show nothing pressing on it and right now he can't have a MRI due to an implant he has..but his pulmonary test are all normal
they are doing additional genetic testing on him as they feel he has a disorder i have (not related at all to the pectus) but I wanted to let you know that sometimes testing and getting answers take time and the unknown is what kills a parent. not knowing what is going on with him has been very hard for me to take. so I understand how worried you are.

I hope that his cardiac and pulmonary test are normal.  
good luck to your son.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the update. It is possible but definite diagnosis will still be from the results of the pulmonary tests.  At this point, x-ray was fine and strengthening his immune system may help avoid respiratory infection. Eating healthy to get the proper nutrients, drinking plenty of fluids and even exercising regularly ( with running, etc) may help. Ascorbic acid supplementation may also help. Take care always.

[blair4385]

Thank you so much for commenting on this. I do plan to get his heart and lungs checked out to make sure that he fine. One thing that bothers me is that he is always sick with some respiratory issues. He is always either coughing, congested, wheezing and has had to be on antibiotics several times for respiratory infections. He has been this way since birth so Im not sure if his pectus excavatum has anything to do with that or not.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How is your son? Pectus excavatum is an abnormal formation of the rib cage that gives the chest a caved-in or sunken appearance. It is a congenital abnormality that is caused by too much growth of the connective tissue that joins the ribs to the breastbone. If pectus excavatum is severe, it may affect the heart and lungs. However, if the x-ray was fine, then there is nothing to be worried about. Diagnostic tests may be done such as chromosome studies, enzyme assays, metabolic studies and  X-rays to rule out presence of other conditions. Pulmonary or cardiac function tests may be done to determine how severely the lungs and heart are affected. Surgery may be indicated if other problems are present. It is best that you talk to your doctor about this for proper management. Take care and do keep us posted.