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Toddlers ribs. Advice needed :(

6 replies

jessyoliver · 02/05/2019 11:50

Hi! I really need some reassurance :( we were at the hospital 2 days ago with my 19month old because he has croup and tonsillitis (poor little man 😔;) and the dr asked me if anyone has ever noticed his ribs?? I have always noticed his ribcage is a little different to my 6 year old but not enough to cause much concern and he’s always been a happy baby. Anyway, she said he has “a slight bell shaped chest, with flaring of the bottom ribs”. She quizzed me for a bit about whether he’s ever had breathing difficulties etc (which he hasn’t, just croup about 3 months ago which was his first time) and then said she wasn’t concerned. Obviously it’s played on my mind and I’ve gone home and googled bell shaped chests and I’m just seeing lots of posts about genetic syndromes such as juenes syndrome and nothing is positive!! Everything I’ve read says that with conditions like that, they don’t normally survive into adulthood :( I’m freaking out. Honestly I can’t eat, Sleep or anything :( I didn’t think there was anything wrong with him! When I examine him, I can feel what she means which sounds very similar to posts on here that I’ve been looking at when people say their little ones ribs stick out more at the bottom. It’s like at the bottom of his rib cage sticks out, like it dips a bit and then flares out at the bottom. I don’t understand where the bell shape thing is coming from as I really don’t think it’s particularly narrow at the top or anything? I’ll attach a pic of him so you can see. He’s lost weight since being ill, he hasn’t had a proper meal for about 2 weeks now :( so I’m aware that his ribs are more obvious to normal and perhaps this is why it’s been picked up?? Can someone pleaseeeee reassure me please, I really feel like I’m losing my mind :( xxx

OP posts:
jessyoliver · 02/05/2019 11:54

Here are some pics I took yesterday! You can see his ribs sticking out due to him dropping weight so might help to see the shape? Xx

Toddlers ribs. Advice needed :(
Toddlers ribs. Advice needed :(
Toddlers ribs. Advice needed :(
OP posts:
jessyoliver · 02/05/2019 11:56

Here are some more...

OP posts:
dumdumdeedum · 02/05/2019 16:38

I think he looks normal, but take him to your GP to discuss if you are worried. And please ask Mumsnet to delete your post. I don't think it's a good idea to post pictures of your son on here as anyone could access them. Best of luck

jadegoodwin94 · 02/05/2019 18:46

Hi my son is now 1 but about 3 month ago I took him to the hospital about one rib cage looking and feeling totally different they gave him a X-ray and everything was fine they couldn't give me no answers but then I asked around on another mums page and a lot of children all had the same and I looked into it doing research on the internet and found everyone has one rib cage different to the other but it's more noticeable on young babies and children. So I definitely don't think it anything to worry about.

Sumicvasu · 23/05/2021 19:27

What about your son right now?
Is he okey now??

jessyoliver · 23/05/2021 21:35

Hi All! He's absolutely fine now! He just has an extra rib apparently 😂 they love to worry you don't they 🙈 xx

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