Ask Mayo Clinic: From shortness of breath to surgery understanding pectus excavatum in teens
Oct 24, 2026
Dear Mayo Clinic: My 14-year-old son recently started his fall soccer season and has been having trouble keeping up with teammates. He gets short of breath and tires more quickly than he used to. He was recently diagnosed with pectus excavatum, and his doctor said this is likely causing his symptoms
. What are the treatment options, and how do we know if he needs surgery? If he does need surgery, what does the procedure and recovery involve? ...read more read less