How to Prevent Funnel Chest

Funnel chest is more formally known as Pectus excavatum and comprises more than 90 percent of all chest wall formation disorders. It occurs about once in every 300 live births, although it may also arise shortly after birth. Pectus excavatum can affect the heart and lungs in severe cases and also may cause psychological difficulties for a child.

Instructions

1. Eliminate the causes of Pectus excavatum. It is a symptom rather than a specific disease and the etiology remains unclear. The most common cause of Pectus excavatum may be an overgrowth of the costal cartilage. Other causes of posterior displacement of the sternum may include abnormalities of the diaphragm and elevated intrauterine pressure.

2. Ensure you get enough calcium, phosphate and vitamin D. These nutrients are needed to prevent rickets, which is also associated with Pectus excavatum.

3. Check your family history to determine the predisposition that your children may have to developing Pectus excavatum. Thirty-seven percent of Pectus excavatum patients have a family history of the disorder, indicating a significant genetic component.

4. Seek genetic counseling for other genetic disorders that can cause Pectus excavatum. These include musculoskeletal disorders such as Marfan syndrome, an inherited trait in 70 percent of cases, and scoliosis, seen in 15 percent of Pectus excavatum patients.

5. Undergo physical therapy. General physical fitness and development of the anterior chest musculature in particular can improve the patient's appearance in mild cases of Pectus excavatum. However, even moderate cases of Pectus excavatum will worsen during puberty despite any attempts at rehabilitation.