Pigeon chest (with photo)

[tinylittlecaterpillar]

Any idea if I should be concerned about my 5 year olds chest?
It sticks out on one side, as in the bone seems bigger on one side.
It started becoming noticeable at about 2.5 years old, but with covid etc I've not had it checked.
Had a friend comment on it today.

I've done a bit of Googling that says he might need some sort of brace?

That does not look like a normal ribcage to me. Please make a GP appointment or call your HV.

Oh god. Now I feel a bit neglectful. I presumed it was just one of those things.

Not normal..see gp.

How’s his spine? Doesn’t sgoliosis sometimes present with ribs being pushed out of position? Hope you get it sorted op.

His spine is fine as far as I can tell. I'll definitely get him an appointment tomorrow.

When was your last HV check? Did nursery not notice it?

No no-ones really mentioned it. My sister is a nurse and never said anything about it. My MIL asked if we'd noticed it.
Nothing had ever been said at nursery, swimming, gymnastics etc.

Here's the spine...

www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-medical-conditions/pectus-carinatum/

Good luck with the doctor

I'd get that checked OP, might just be one of those things but best let a medical bod see him.

My DB has a pigeon chest. When he was young, it looked like the side your DS has which sticks out more, but was symmetrical so the same both sides. I’ve just read about it online about breathing problems etc with it but he has never had anything like that. He definitely didn’t have any sort of back brace at all. Other than being a bit self conscious of it when he was young he has never had any difficulties. As he got older and musclier it’s not really noticeable, it just looks like he has a muscly chest. I’ve not thought about it for years.

Thanks @gegs73 I feel a bit more reassured now.
I think it's just because it's asymmetrical that it looks strange.
I'll definitely get him checked out though.

My DP has a chest like that... He's the fittest most athletic person I know! Regularly rides 200 miles a week and does martial arts. I'd get it check but not fret on it!

My DS has this. He/we didn't notice it until he was 16 - so many it only became apparent then.

He's had xrays and an mri just to ensure it isnt causing heart issues (it's not) and that's the end of it.

Thanks all. I'll get it checked and try not to panic!

Hi OP, pectus carinatum or 'pigeon chest' is quite common. My son had it . He got a brace at the London Orthotics Clinic in Kingston. We live in Dublin so travelled over for it . This type of chest does not cause breathing issues, it's when the chest is inverted and that's called pectus excavatum.
My son actually needed two braces which were quite uncomfortable but the treatment was very fast.
His chest is perfect now. It's only a cosmetic issue but the correction has really improved my son's confidence.
Have a search here and you will find some discussions about it .

Check with GP. Is the fact the shoulders shown on the back picture, such a different shape and in a different position, not an issue aswell?

His shoulders are just the way he's standing. They're symmetrical usually.

My chest been like this my whole life I’m 26 now . No doctor has ever said anything to me about it

This is pectus carinatum. It is more common than you'd imagine (in both males and females). It is almost always completely harmless and does not carry the same risks as pectus excavatum (when the chest is sunken in). It can however cause emotional anxiety and insecurities in later life. I have the same and managed to almost completely mask it with bodybuilding but, as some have mentioned, it can be corrected with a brace too.

Maybe scoliosis? My dd wasn't diagnosed until her 20s. It doesn't cause her any problems. Make an appointment with the gp.

Hi, I knw this is an old post but did u manage to get it checked. I'm concerned my toddler appears to have same thing @tinylittlecaterpillar

Hi,
Named changed a few times since this post!
But yes all checked out at hospital and it's just one of those things. No scoliosis, nothing sinister, should be less noticeable as he grows!
Hope that helps!

Hi @tinylittlecaterpillar @Maria123123123123 my son is 3 years old and he has protruding chest. His xray is normal but doctor said it could be pigeon chest... does it get worse since it usually shows up when kids are 11-12 years but if it's seen at 3 years itself can it get worse.. also did your son's xray show any difference?

He has no other issues like chest pain or breathing problem..

Thanks