Protruding rib cage on one side

[BlackInk]

I noticed this morning that my 5 year old daughter's rib cage is sticking out noticeably more on the left side than on the right.

She's kind of skinny and very slender, so I'm used to seeing her ribs, but I've never noticed this before. Her lower ribs are flaring /sticking out at the bottom on one side.

Does this sound like something I need to get looked at, or just normal asymmetry? She's a very lively / sporty child and generally well, although I was at the drs with her recently due to persistent complaints of tummy ache, which they said was most likely anxiety.

The only other thing I've noticed recently is that she's getting a lot of popping / clicking in her joints.

Any ideas / similar experiences? I tend to over-worry and don't want to become a pest at the drs...

Thank you :)

BI x

Honestly I wouldn't worry about being a pest, the doctor is there to see people. If you are worried I'd get her checked. It might be something like scoliosis that she'll probably grow out of, but there's no harm in getting it checked out.

Yes, I think you should make an appointment and get the GP to check her spine (asymmetry there can cause ribs to be pushed out of shape.

You mention gut pain and joint popping... those things together are making me think of some sor5 of collagen disorder (EDS, OI, Marfan, etc, there are a whole pile of them).
Is she hyper-mobile in her large joints (do knees, elbows bend back further normal , for example?).

Take her to the doctor, not urgent but it is important iyswim

I should add, our family have a diagnosed “heritable disorder of collagen synthesis” (you might want to google that term and look at some of the results and see if you think any of it sounds familiar), so I’m aware of how difficult it can be to get DRs to put all the apparently unconnected medical issues together and realise they have one underlying cause.

My friend's son had this.
It was rickets due to vitamin d deficiency.
You do need to get a medical opinion asap.

Was you DD EBF?
My EBF DS had this and I was worried about rickets (after too much googling) so took him to see the GP who had not come across it before but was not concerned. He told me to bring him back in 6m if it got worse but it didn't. DS's ribs now appear more normal.

Take her to see the GP for your own piece of mind.

Hmmm, thanks everyone. I think I will book an appointment with the GP...

A bit of googling of the conditions mentioned does make me wonder - she does have flexible arm and leg joints, long and slender limbs, some vision problems. I will have a check for any signs of spine curvature tonight.

She was exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, and breastfed alongside solids up to 2 years... what would be the connection there?

Thanks again folks, all very interesting!

BI x

It was a few years ago when I researched it but from memory breastmilk isn't fortified with vit D as formula milk is so there's an increased risk of rickets. Ribs that start to curl up at the end can be an early sign of rickets. I noticed it in my DS when he was a toddler but didn't think much of it until I saw a documentary by chance then read up on it.

Ah thank you, she doesn't show any other signs of rickets and gets plenty of fresh air and sunlight (i think), but is slightly fussy with her food and doesn't eat any meat or fish.
I think the thing with her ribs is recent, and it was a long time ago now that we finished BF...

Just take her to the gp. It could be a few things including scoliosis or hyper mobility syndrome or nothing. A doctor who can see her will know better.

I have this and have a scoliosis- new doctor saw me for something else recently and noticed the rib being uneven/slightly sticking out and asked if I had a scoliosis.

Mine is very mild and never needed treatment.

I had a look at her spine last night and it's completely straight as far as I can see. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing?!

DS (6) has this too. I got a referral to paed who checked his spine and abdomen and confirmed nothing obviously untoward but has referred us to a regional centre who will probably take some measurements and monitor to check it doesn't worsen as he grows.
He has episodic coughing associated with viral wheeze / asthma symptoms which I thought might have contributed but Dr thought this unlikely and it's just one of those things.
I'm glad I asked GP for referral as it's been reassuring