Site Map

Pectus excavatum

Funnel chest; Cobbler's chest; Sunken chest

Pectus excavatum is a medical term that describes an abnormal formation of the rib cage that gives the chest a caved-in or sunken appearance.

Images

Presentation

Considerations

Pectus excavatum occurs while a baby is developing in the womb. It can also develop in a baby after birth. The condition can be mild or severe.

Pectus excavatum is due to too much growth of the connective tissue that joins the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This causes the sternum to grow inward. As a result, there is a depression in the chest over the sternum, which may appear quite deep.

If the condition is severe, the heart and lungs can be affected. Also, the way the chest looks may cause emotional stress for the child.

Causes

The exact cause is unknown. Pectus excavatum may occur by itself. Or there may be a family history of the condition. Other medical problems linked with this condition include:

• Marfan syndrome (connective tissue disease)
• Noonan syndrome (disorder that causes many parts of the body to develop abnormally)
• Poland syndrome (disorder that causes muscles to not develop fully or at all)
• Rickets (softening and weakening of the bones)
• Scoliosis (abnormal curving of the spine)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you or your child has any of the following:

• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Feelings of depression or anger about the condition
• Feeling tired, even when not being active

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical examination. An infant with pectus excavatum may have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific condition known as a syndrome.

Your provider will also ask about medical history, such as:

• When was the problem first noticed?
• Is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?
• Do other family members have an unusual-shaped chest?
• What other symptoms are there?

Tests may be done to rule out suspected disorders. These tests may include:

• Chromosome studies
• Enzyme assays
• Metabolic studies
• X-rays
• CT scan of the chest

Tests may also be done to find out how severely the lungs and heart are affected.

This condition can be surgically repaired. Surgery is generally advised if there are other health problems, such as trouble breathing. Surgery may also be done to improve the appearance of the chest. Talk to your provider about treatment options.

Related Information

Pectus excavatum repair
Pectus excavatum - discharge

References

Beh HZ, Ferry AM, Dibbs RP, Buchanan EP, Monson LA. Pediatric chest and trunk deformities. In: Losee JE, Hopper RA, eds. Plastic Surgery: Volume 3: Craniofacial, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 32.

Boas SR. Skeletal diseases influencing pulmonary function. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 445.

Weller JH, Nasr IW. Repair of pectus excavatum. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:951-992.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 8/22/2023  

Reviewed By: Mary C. Mancini, MD, PhD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Shreveport, LA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.