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Xiphoid Process

8 replies

MikeL1993 · 13/05/2025 13:04

Last week me and my gf noticed a hard lump on our little boy's chest. So we took him to the doctors and she didn't seem too concerned and said it was probably just his sternum and mentioned something called the xiphoid process and that settled our worries. However, nursery contacted use yesterday and asked if they were aware of it, we told them we had already seen the doctor and she gave us the okay. But because nursery seemed concerned it put that doubt in our minds so we asked to see a different doctor for a second opinion.

Been back today and the other doctor also seems to think it is the xiphoid process but is sending us an appointment to have a scan just for piece of mind. Obviously this is a good thing to be doing but this is just making me worry even more now in case it is something else.

Has anyone else had to deal with this? Just for clarity my son is 11 months old and it only first appeared last week but the week before he was ill with a nasty bug and some people seem to think this can make it flare up.

Can anyone help? Until this scan I am going to be beside myself with worry.

Xiphoid Process
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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FadedRed · 13/05/2025 17:11

Mine does that!

MikeL1993 · 13/05/2025 19:15

FadedRed · 13/05/2025 17:11

Mine does that!

How long have you had it? And has a doctor ever said what it is?

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FadedRed · 13/05/2025 19:27

Been like that all my life as far as I know, and I’m old. It’s just the little bit of cartilage and bone at the end of the sternum, doesn’t do anything.

MikeL1993 · 13/05/2025 19:33

FadedRed · 13/05/2025 19:27

Been like that all my life as far as I know, and I’m old. It’s just the little bit of cartilage and bone at the end of the sternum, doesn’t do anything.

That’s essentially what the doctor said, just the thought of taking him for a scan is worrying me

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FadedRed · 13/05/2025 19:39

Sometimes it can be caused by inflammation and I imagine your GP is just ruling out any possible problem and you will be reassured by this.

MikeL1993 · 13/05/2025 19:50

FadedRed · 13/05/2025 19:39

Sometimes it can be caused by inflammation and I imagine your GP is just ruling out any possible problem and you will be reassured by this.

I will once it’s been done it’s just the waiting I can’t cope with. From my own research I read that it can protrude after an illness etc and he was really ill not too long ago.

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FadedRed · 13/05/2025 20:13

I really first noticed mine after I had my first baby, and wonder if it ‘flipped out’ because of the baby-bump. It’s never caused me any issues.
I hope you are not waiting long and it turns out ok for you both.

MikeL1993 · 13/05/2025 20:24

FadedRed · 13/05/2025 20:13

I really first noticed mine after I had my first baby, and wonder if it ‘flipped out’ because of the baby-bump. It’s never caused me any issues.
I hope you are not waiting long and it turns out ok for you both.

Edited

Thank you, we were both shocked as it appeared randomly from nowhere but from what I’ve read it can just appear at any time

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