What Is The Cause Of Protruding Out Of The Lower Ribs In A 10 Month Baby?

Posted on Mon, 22 Oct 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 Answered on

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : HI my son is 10 months old and i have noticed that his lower ribs seem to protrude to the naked and flare out when you run your hand down them. He also has craniosynostosis of the sagittal suture.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (-5 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The protruding out of the lower ribs in a 10 months old is likely to be due to a Vitamin D deficiency or calcium deficiency. For diagnosis, you can get his serum Vitamin D 3 levels, serum calcium levels and serum alkaline phosphatase levels estimated.
The treatment involves adequate supplementation according to the deficiency. The protrusion of the chest wall gets corrected as the child grows.
A consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist is recommended.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar