Pectus Excavatum (funnel chest)

[autumnboys]

DS3, aged 12, always had a funny looking chest, very pronounced knobbly bit at the bottom of his sternum. He was premature and has had a couple of hospital stays/examinations and no one ever said anything, so I thought nothing of it.

Last weekend I saw him without a shirt on for the first time in ages and realised it is looking more unusual, compared to his older brothers, so we went to see our GP who has diagnosed Pectus Excavatum. He says DS is mild, which is probably right, having looked at images on the internet.

However, DS has been a target for bullies on and off for most of his school life. He is autistic, dyslexic, doesn’t really like sport. I am
worried that this will be the next thing. I have no interest in surgical intervention that he doesn’t need, but I wondered if anyone has tried the vacuum bell treatment? It looks quite bearable and apparently can help cosmetically. I would talk it over with him first, because it would be his choice but interested if anyone has any experience please? Thanks.

Hopeful bump

Both my boys have this. My eldest is approaching 10 and has it mild. My near 4 year old would be pretty moderate and it involves his lowest rib so he will most likely need intervention as a teenager.great Ormand street do information on the procedures.

DH has it - not severely but it’s noticeable, it looks kind of like a cricket ball has hit him and left a large dent! My DM also has it and I think both DDs have it mildly although a bit early to be sure.

From what I’ve read weight training and cardio can make a huge difference to PE. I know your DS isn’t sporty but wonder if he could be persuaded to get into solo non competitive exercise, eg running and youtube weights videos perhaps? Lots of other benefits too of course, as well as helping with the PE. I don’t know anything about the vacuum bell treatment sorry.

I have this but only found out a couple of years ago when I was early 30’s. It’s not very noticeable but I think my boobs hide it. I have it severely but had heart check and my heart functions normally, although is displaced to the left because of the pectus. There is a group on Facebook and lots of parents of children with pectus excavatum are on there.

I forgot to say, I don’t think the nhs do surgery anymore as they say it is cosmetic