Pectus excavatum is like a sunken chest. It’s a chest wall deformity where the sternum caves in. It affects 1 in 400-1000 children. More boys get it. Around 25% of those affected have family members with similar chest wall problems.
This issue might come alone or with others like scoliosis. It can look worse as the child grows. Some kids might feel chest pain, short of breath, or not able to do much activities. They might also feel bad about how they look.
There are surgeries to fix pectus excavatum, like the Ravitch and Nuss procedures. These surgeries can help the heart and lungs work better. This can improve how much air the lungs can hold and how the heart works. It leads to a better life quality for those treated.
Key Takeaways:
- Pectus excavatum creates a sunken sternum in the chest.
- About 1 in 400-1000 kids have this condition, making it the most common.
- It may come alone or with other health issues.
- Surgeries can fix it and make things better for the heart and lungs.
- Feeling bad about how they look is common in these children.
Causes of Sunken Chest – Genetic Factors and Developmental Abnormalities
The cause of sunken chest isn’t fully understood. It seems to be a mix of genes and how our bodies grow. This condition can be passed down in families, showing a genetic link. About a quarter of people with this issue have family members who also have chest wall problems.
It’s more often seen in males, from three to five times greater than in females. Sometimes, not growing right can make our chests look sunken. This happens because the part that makes up our chest, including the bones and cartilage, grows abnormally. Things like scoliosis and Marfan syndrome could be involved too.
Genetic Factors and Developmental Abnormalities Contributing to Pectus Excavatum
| Causes | Description |
|---|---|
| Genetic Factors | Pectus excavatum can run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Approximately 25 percent of affected patients have reported other family members with chest wall abnormalities. |
| Developmental Abnormalities | Abnormal growth of the costal cartilages and sternum during the growth of the chest wall contributes to the sunken appearance of the chest. Conditions like scoliosis, kyphosis, and connective tissue disorders may also play a role. |
Scientists are working hard to understand pectus excavatum better. They’re looking for the genes and growth issues behind it. But, there’s still a lot to learn about this, and more studies are needed.
Symptoms and Impact of Sunken Chest
Pectus excavatum, or sunken chest, can lead to various symptoms. It greatly affects a person’s health and mind.
Symptoms of Sunken Chest
People with pectus excavatum may feel different kinds of symptoms. This includes chest pain, trouble breathing, and feeling tired quickly when they exercise. They might also have symptoms similar to asthma.
The sunken chest lets less air into the lungs. This makes it hard for them to breathe well or do too much physically.
Impact on Heart and Lung Function
If the chest presses on the heart, it can affect how well it works. The squeezed space in the chest can also disturb blood flow. This puts a person at risk for heart problems. Yet, fixing the sunken chest can reverse these effects on the heart and lungs.
Psychological Distress
Pectus excavatum can harm a person’s confidence, especially teens. It makes them feel bad about themselves. They could avoid or feel uncomfortable in social situations.
But, it’s key to know that the right care can help them live better.
Thus, it’s crucial to spot and treat pectus excavatum early. This helps with both the body and the mind. To make sure people live a full life.
Stem Cell Therapy for Sunken Chest – A Promising Treatment Option
In recent years, stem cell therapy has become a new hope for treating sunken chests. It uses the power of stem cells to heal and regenerate tissue. Now, in Thailand, special clinics are offering this innovative treatment for sunken chests.
This therapy takes stem cells from the patient’s own body deep within fat. Then, doctors inject these cells into the sunken area. These cells encourage new tissue growth. As a result, the sunken chest might look better and the deformity could be fixed.
Though considered new and not always available or covered by insurance, it’s offering hope. It might be a non-surgical way to reduce a sunken chest. For those not wanting surgery, looking into this option in Thailand could be worthwhile. As science progresses, stem cell therapy continues to show promise for treating pectus excavatum.
FAQ
Q: What is pectus excavatum?
A: Pectus excavatum is a chest deformity. It makes the chest look sunken or caved-in in the middle. This birth defect is also known as funnel chest.
It causes a noticeable dip in the chest wall, called the sternum. You can see it in the shape of the chest.
Q: How common is pectus excavatum?
A: It’s the most common congenital chest wall issue in kids. It affects up to 1 in every 400-1000 children.
Q: What causes pectus excavatum?
A: The exact cause of pectus excavatum isn’t clear. Most experts think it happens due to a mix of genes and how the body grows.
Q: What are the symptoms and impact of pectus excavatum?
A: Pectus excavatum can cause chest pain and make it hard to breathe. Kids with it might get tired easily during play.
Their self-esteem can also be impacted by how their body looks. It limits the space available for the lungs and affects the heart’s job.
Q: How is pectus excavatum treated?
A: Surgery can fix pectus excavatum. The most common surgeries are the Ravitch and Nuss procedures. These procedures can improve the chest’s appearance and function.
Q: What is stem cell therapy for pectus excavatum?
A: Stem cell therapy aims to create new, healthy chest tissues using stem cells. It’s a new way to treat the sunken chest look. This might avoid the need for surgery.
Q: Where can I find stem cell therapy for pectus excavatum?
A: In Thailand, you can find clinics that offer stem cell therapy. These clinics provide modern treatments like regenerative medicine.
Q: Is stem cell therapy covered by insurance?
A: Stem cell therapy is often not covered by insurance. Since it’s a new treatment, insurance may not pay for it. Talk to your doctor about your options.