Lump on my baby's chest

[thehairybabysmum]

My DS, 11 mths has a hard lump in the centre of his chest, just above the sternum. It is hard, feels bony to touch.

He has had it for a month now, we have seen the GP a few times and as it hasnt gone away have been referred to a paediatrician...appt. is tues.

The bub is v. well and happy in himself in himself and eating fine etc. so this is a good sign. Am trying not to worry but this is difficult as it just seems wrong to have a lump there!!!

Anyway hopefully we will find out more tues but just wondered if anyone had any similar experiences??

[NotSoupyOhNoNoNoShesOnABreak]

Are you sure it's not always been there and has just become more apparent as your DS (and it) have grown? DS2 has one, as does his uncle and his cousin. I asked my GP about it and it's fairly common apparently. Just an oddity (can't bring myself to say deformity!) where the ribs meet above the sternum. It has a name which I can't for the life of me remember. I think one of JimJam's DSs has it too.

[thehairybabysmum]

My GP doesnt know what it is...when it first appeared (or i first noticed) it had a bruise over the area. Now the bruise has gone it is just a lump.

Im fairly sure it hasnt always been there but couldnt say 100%. Im hoping it's something inoccuous as you describe.

Did you get your ds checked when you first noticed or did you already know what it was??

Am relieved there is a potentially ok reason for it...have to keep repeating the mantra 'he's ok in himself' to stop me worrying hysterically prior to tues!!

[NotSoupyOhNoNoNoShesOnABreak]

I didn't get him checked until he was about 2 and it wasn't til he was 4 that I noticed his uncle and cousin had the same thing (DHs family, not mine)!

I found it by accident when he was maybe 4 months old. It wasn't really noticeable as he was always wearing a vest and you can only see it when he stretches/sucks hi tummy in, that sort of thing.

[misdee]

dd2 has one.

[NotSoupyOhNoNoNoShesOnABreak]

JimJam's thread

[thehairybabysmum]

thanks for that link, i could have written jimjams first post, sounds v. similar, apart from the bruise aspect of it.

Does make me feel better. I have been fairly chilled about it over the last month...but now we have been referred (and as an urgent appt ) i am more worried. Although at the same time im glad its being checked and quickly too.

Anyway defo feel a bit better so thanks v. much. Have to go for now but will keep you posted.

[Jimjams2]

oh how funny- ds2 had a regular check up this week so asked the doc to have another look. (I worry about being slack mum) He still isn't concerned - it's kind of growing in proportion, doesn't seem to be causing any problems. A locum doc once said to keep an eye foor any scoliosis of the spine as that can sometimes push ribs etc out of place a bit, but it seems to be fine. Are we the lumpy chest brigade?

If you saw bruising defintely worth getitng checked out I think- partly because one of my quacks (chiropractor) thought it felt a little as if it had previously been broken or suffered a trauma. Decied that hadn't happened as its never been painful. T he brusing may just have been coincidence though.

[thehairybabysmum]

Thanks jimjams...he has the hosp appt today, feeling a bit nervous. Will post on here what they say.

[thehairybabysmum]

Just to update you all, the hospital said it was v. normal...just the shape of his chest and is relatively common to have a protrusion there. Feel a bit daft for worrying now!

The doc (same one) did say that he though the previous bruising and swelling were completely unrelated. Both me an GP thought they were the same thing really so that gives me a slight doubt that he really listened to what i said about it varying in prominencE iyswim, but im ignoring this doubt as i figure i can always go back to GP if it does come up blue again.

Thanks for all your advice.

[NotSoupyOhNoNoNoShesOnABreak]

It's never daft to worry.

DS2s is sometimes less noticable than others but I think it depends how he's standing/breathing etc.

I guess the brusing isn't so odd as with a lump there it may be more likely to get knocked perhaps? Kind of related but no IYSWIM!