Pectus malformations usually become more severe during adolescent growth years and may worsen throughout adult life. The secondary effects, such as scoliosis and cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, may worsen with advancing age. Body building exercises (often attempted to cover the defect with pectoral muscles) will not alter the ribs and cartilage of the chest wall, and are generally considered not harmful. Most insurance companies no longer consider chest wall malformations like<unk>  to be purely cosmetic conditions. While the psychologic impact of any malformation is real and must be addressed, the physiological concerns must take precedence. The possibility of lifelong cardiopulmonary difficulties is serious enough to warrant a visit to a thoracic surgeon.
Pectus carinatum
Pes cavus
Pectus excavatum
Omphalolith
Fissured tongue
Visceroptosis
Cephalohematoma
Subungual hematoma