Children's chest bones protrude

There are many children around us. Because some parts of their bodies are not fully developed or complete, some incorrect or improper acquired habits will cause certain effects on our bodies. This acquired behavior will affect our functions. So let’s take a look at what’s going on when bones protrude from the front of a child’s chest.

1. Causes

In a small number of children, pigeon chest is congenital, but in most children, pigeon chest is caused by rickets. The skeleton of infants and young children is composed of cartilage. If the supply of vitamin D and calcium is neglected or insufficient at this time, calcium and phosphorus absorption will be impaired, resulting in osteomalacia. The connection between the chest ribs and sternum will sink inward, causing the sternum to bulge forward and form pigeon chest. This deformity often forms around 1 year old, but in fact, pigeon chest after 2 to 3 years old is the sequelae of rickets in children. In addition to pigeon chest, children often have other deformities, such as square head, "X" shaped legs, "O" shaped legs and so on.

2. Treatment Methods

After chicken breast is formed, as children grow older and eat ordinary meals for nutrition, they get enough vitamin D, and calcium salts are deposited on the cartilage. The cartilage turns into bone, and the chicken breast is fixed as the basic framework of metabolism. At this time, chicken breast can no longer be cured by simple medicine and nutrition. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of pigeon chest in children must focus on preventing rickets.

When treating pectus carinatum, attention should be paid to the age of the child and the condition of rickets. Rickets is often in the active stage before the age of 3 and enters the stable stage after the age of 3. The former is mainly used to treat rickets after pigeon chest occurs, while the latter is mainly used to correct deformities.

For children with pigeon chest under 3 years old, anti-rickets treatment should be actively given, including diet therapy, vitamin D therapy, and calcium supplementation if necessary. Children over 3 years old mostly suffer from sequelae, and treatment with calcium and vitamin D is ineffective. Generally, mild pectus carinatum will gradually disappear as the body grows. Strengthening physical exercise, such as chest expansion exercises, push-ups, head-lifting exercises, etc., two to three times a day, can accelerate the correction of the deformity.

3. Prevention

1. Adhere to breastfeeding. Breast milk contains more vitamin D than cow's milk. Although breast milk contains small amounts of calcium and phosphorus, the ratio of the two is appropriate (2:1), and they are easily absorbed by the baby.

2. Mothers should have a nutritious diet and get more sun exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

3. Increase children’s outdoor activity time and get more exposure to sunlight.

4. Add complementary food to children on time.

5. Newborns should start taking cod liver oil one month after birth, especially premature babies, twins or rapidly growing children.