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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffPectus excavatum is an inherited condition. It affects the cartilage connecting the ribs to the lower part of the breastbone. Pectus excavatum sometimes occurs in conjunction with:
- Marfan syndrome. This hereditary condition affects the connective tissue, often resulting in limbs and fingers that are especially long and thin.
- Scoliosis. An abnormal curvature of the spine, scoliosis usually occurs in pre-adolescent girls.
- Mitral valve prolapse. The mitral valve separates two chambers in the heart. Defects in the mitral valve may reduce the heart's efficiency in pumping blood.
References
- Boas SR. Skeletal diseases influencing pulmonary function. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119560986-3/801968939/1608/977.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50418-7--subchapter1_7989. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Kelly RE, et al. Surgical repair of pectus excavatum markedly improves body image and perceived ability for physical activity: Multicenter study. Pediatrics. 2008;122;1218.
- Pectus excavatum. The American Pediatric Surgical Association. http://www.eapsa.org/parents/resources/pectus_excav.cfm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is Marfan syndrome? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/mar/mar_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is scoliosis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scoliosis/scoliosis_ff.asp. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is mitral valve prolapse? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/mvp/mvp_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Chest X-ray (chest radiography). American College of Radiology. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=chestrad. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- CT: Chest. American College of Radiology. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestct. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is an electrocardiogram? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/echo/echo_whatis.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Malek MH, et al. Cardiovascular function following surgical repair of pectus excavatum: A meta-analysis. Chest. 2006;130:506.
- Johnson JN, et al. Cardiorespiratory function after operation for pectus excavatum. Journal of Pediatrics. 2008;153:359.
