KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

A form of protrusion at the chest, it's a type of 'deformity' but seemingly common & usually do not result in serious problem. Some severe cases may require surgery but seems like there are now some braces that can help if used before their growth spurt is over.

Like to find out more especially those available in SG. Do share if you have any info or know of such cases. Thanks

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BeContented, I don't know about this condition but I saw something in the internet. I'm not sure whether it is what you are looking for. Please scroll to the bottom. There is a Singapore doctor using it.

http://www.pectusservices.com/doctors.html

ngl2010 wrote:BeContented, I don't know about this condition but I saw something in the internet. I'm not sure whether it is what you are looking for. Please scroll to the bottom. There is a Singapore doctor using it.

http://www.pectusservices.com/doctors.html

Hi ngl, thanks. I did come across this too.
Was hoping to read up more cases/examples from our govt hospital.....but din see much. Seems like not much info on such treatment - did see a doc once, accordingly can let it be if it does not affect. But I also read somewhere it may progress in adulthood and eventually need surgery. So I'm rather do preventive now if possible. Thanks again.

Just an update to those who might be keen.

Went KKH for consultation. Apparently there is more awareness these days & in fact, it's now one of the services available in our hospitals.
The braces are now available via TTSH, dun have to go private or Internet to source from overseas.

So basically after consultation with KK, they referred my son to TTSH to fix the braces < $400 at subsidized rates.
The only issue was had to wait 3 months for the TTSH appt.

BeContented, My son has Pectus Carinatum and we would like to seek treatment for him in Singapore. I am trying to make an appointment with Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Could you tell me which doctor at TTSH your son was referred to? I would really appreciate your help on this.

Penang parent wrote:BeContented, My son has Pectus Carinatum and we would like to seek treatment for him in Singapore. I am trying to make an appointment with Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Could you tell me which doctor at TTSH your son was referred to? I would really appreciate your help on this.

Hi,
Actually I was first referred to KK women & children Hospital by my family doctor.
Went to the KKH Cardiac Centre and saw Dr Loh.

He checked my son before sending him to TTSH Orthopaedic to fix the chest braces.
So for KKH, Dr Loh reviews are like - 1st consultation, 3 months after the braces was fixed and then subsequently to review 6 months followed by later.
For TTSH, we are supposed to review every 6 months. I think the prosthetist is randomly assigned, ours is Desmond Tong whom I found to be quite a gentle nice guy.

Just FYI.....depending on the severity, somehow the way the doctors view to PC cases seems to be
- it's nothing critical. May affect self-esteem and braces may or may not work and it's more cosmetic.
However as a parent, we probably are concerned with how badly the protrusion will be and what's the impact if something hit on the pointed parts (I was alarmed when I first saw them pressing on it and it bounced back.
But still, good to see doc and monitor/correct it while it's still possible (before end of puberty).

In my son's case, it does seem less pointed already but there seems to be a 'permanent bruise' area because of the daily pressure from the braces. Hopefully it will go away later.

Hi, my girl have this problem too. We hv seen the dr at kk cardiac and are coming back in June 2018 to get the brace fix.

My 13 yr old son is diagnosed with "pigeon chest" & went to KKH cardiac centre (make sure you get referral from Polyclinic to get subsidy).

Doctor checked his heart & lungs and declared they are ok. Since my boy doesn't gets breathless during PE and can actually jog 2km without problem, the doctor says no serious issue.

He don't suggest surgery as there's no health threats caused by it and that this condition is very common among teenage boys who are undergoing growth spurts during puberty. It's just an abnormal growth pattern of the chest bone.

Sadly, there's nothing much to correct it. I've asked about chest braces, and he says my son's condition is not too serious or obvious, and 6mths with the brace can only see about 1-2cm of correction. Also the brace is not cheap as it is fully customized that has to change on a regular basis to correct. Just like Invisilign teeth braces.

Doctor suggest to build some muscles on the chest area (cos my boy indeed is skinny) so it can hide the deformity.

This is permanent and my boy has to live with it. He experiences also occasional sharp pain at that area, and doctor says it's normal and if the pain is unbearable, he can prescribe painkillers.

My 13 yr old son is diagnosed with "pigeon chest" & went to KKH cardiac centre (make sure you get referral from Polyclinic to get subsidy).

Doctor checked his heart & lungs and declared they are ok. Since my boy doesn't gets breathless during PE and can actually jog 2km without problem, the doctor says no serious issue.

He don't suggest surgery as there's no health threats caused by it and that this condition is very common among teenage boys who are undergoing growth spurts during puberty. It's just an abnormal growth pattern of the chest bone.

Sadly, there's nothing much to correct it. I've asked about chest braces, and he says my son's condition is not too serious or obvious, and 6mths with the brace can only see about 1-2cm of correction. Also the brace is not cheap as it is fully customized that has to change on a regular basis to correct. Just like Invisilign teeth braces.

Doctor suggest to build some muscles on the chest area (cos my boy indeed is skinny) so it can hide the deformity.

This is permanent and my boy has to live with it. He experiences also occasional sharp pain at that area, and doctor says it's normal and if the pain is unbearable, he can prescribe painkillers.