Question
What are the causes of pectus depressum, also known as funnel chest?
Answer
Pectus depressum, also referred to as funnel chest, is a type of thoracic deformity characterized by an indentation of the sternum and ribs forward, resulting in a concave shape in the anterior part of the chest. It is more common in children and adolescents and usually occurs due to the abnormal outward expansion of the sternum and ribs during development. The treatment method depends on the severity of the pectus depressum. For mild cases, no special treatment may be required as the indentation may sometimes improve on its own with the child’s growth. For moderate to severe cases, surgical correction may be necessary. The golden period for surgical correction is typically before puberty, as the child’s bones are still developing at this time, and the surgical outcome is usually better. In Taiwan, children can consult with pediatric departments in large children’s hospitals such as Taipei Veterans General Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics or Kaohsiung Chang Geng Memorial Hospital’s Department of Pediatric Surgery to receive professional treatment advice. In addition, patients should pay attention to rest and enhance nutrition in their daily care to reduce the risk of illness and promote recovery.