Variation in rib cage shapes

[tomeetippeecup]

Hi, I have a question about ribcages. DS2 (7) seems to have a different shape ribcage from his siblings. Nothing major (doesn't show through clothes; no one ever commented), but it seems a bit more dippy at the front, and just a sort of different shape. I asked the GP who said she couldn't see anything wrong, and I also asked my aunt who is a consultant paediatrician, and she said it looked fine. I can't stop worrying about it though. DH thinks this is my problem not DS's (I do have a tendency to worry and obsess). Should I get him checked again by a different GP?
Many thanks for reading this.

Possibly a mild case of pectus excavatum, which in itself is nothing much to worry about, but pls check (again) with someone medically trained if you are concerned.

Thank you khm.
Is this very rare? And would it need treatment? If i Google i know i will panic! Thanks again

Given that your GP has looked and your aunt, who is a paediatrician, I do think perhaps you are over worrying. Is he otherwise healthy?

My ribcage looks totally different to my older sister.

My sister is more barrel chested like my dad was, I'm more oval shaped (I look way thinner from the side, she looks about the same, rib cage wise).

Both of us were in band and have excellent lung capacity. Neither of us have breathing or heart or other such issues, it's just the genes I have.

If you're genuinely concerned you could ask for an xray or something to make sure it's not the way he's standing (so spine) or whatever but I wouldn't be worried unless he seems bothered by it.

What exactly are you worrying about? What do you think is going to happen. If a consultant paediatrician has said it's fine, I don't think you will get any answers here!

I have PE, as do my dad and brother (it often runs in families). It means the sternum (breastbone) sinks inwards which pulls the ribs into a different shape. It's the most common form of ribcage deformity (that's a harsh word to use but essentially what it is). It very rarely causes any health problems at all, just doesn't look particularly nice. It usually develops during puberty and can't be prevented if you're going to get it. There are varying degrees - mine is more pronounced than my brother's. If you google, be aware that you will see pics of the most severe degrees of PE and most people's are not that severe. I don't particularly like the look of my chest but it's never caused any health problems.

No it doesn't need treatment, unless it is very extreme and causing problems as AHDW describes above. I too have a mild form of PE but never really bothered me. Must admit though that I did develop tachycardia as a teenager and there were theories by various cardiologists that my PE may have triggered it. Having said that I never needed treatment for any of the two and my cardiac symptoms usually lay dormant unless I'm pregnant.

Thank you all very much for your responses. It's very helpful to hear that ribcages do vary in shape, that not all variations are pathological, and that even when a "deformity" like PE is present it's not the end of the world. Also very helpful to hear definitions of PE which don't require me to google!

I always worry about DS2, because he has a lot of allergies, is shorter for his age than his brother and sister, and is not very confident.

Thank you all again for being so helpful.