Can you have kids with pectus excavatum?

We take a conservative approach and, in most cases, children with pectus excavatum can live a normal, active childhood without needing surgery. In more severe cases, treatment includes surgery to stop a child’s breastbone from pushing on their heart and lungs.

Can you have mild pectus excavatum?

Pectus excavatum is a chest deformity where the breastbone (sternum) appears sunken. Children with mild pectus excavatum often have no other symptoms, but more severe cases can affect the heart and lungs. The sunken chest can be fixed with surgeries like the Nuss procedure or Ravitch procedure.

Is pectus excavatum considered a birth defect?

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital birth defect. One out of 400 babies is born with a chest wall that doesn’t form properly and becomes concave. Kids with pectus routinely have surgery.

What is a mild case of pectus excavatum?

What is mild pectus excavatum? If you notice a small dent in your chest, however, don’t have any physical symptoms, you likely have a mild case of pectus excavatum. A normal chest has a Haller index of 2 or less.

Is pectus excavatum inherited?

Conclusions: Pedigree analysis of 34 families provides evidence that pectus excavatum is an inherited disorder, possibly of connective tissue. Although some families demonstrate apparent Mendelian inheritance, most appear to be multifactorial.

How do you fix a mild pectus excavatum?

Pectus excavatum can be surgically repaired, but surgery is usually reserved for people who have moderate to severe signs and symptoms. People who have mild signs and symptoms may be helped by physical therapy. Certain exercises can improve posture and increase the degree to which the chest can expand.

How common is pectus excavatum in females?

Pectus excavatum (PE) or funnel chest is a congenital chest wall deformity with an incidence of 1 in 400 live births and a maleto-female ratio of 4:1 [1,2].