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Premature birth

Slow head growth etc

11 replies

rascal1979 · 19/08/2008 09:34

Babyrascal was born at 30+6 due to HELLP.
She was IUGR and weighed 2lb 1oz/0.983g

Her weight and height have always been an issue as both are under the 0.4th centile but head circumfrence has always been on the 0.4th and therefore less of a concern.

However at her most recent check up last week the consultant showed concern as her weight and height are still below 0.4th (she is 56cm long and weighed 10lb 15oz) but her head has dropped below the 0.4th centile at 39cm.

She has been referred to the paed dietician for assessment.

The Dr was very conservative about what small head growth means and so I have done my own reseach and scared myself to death

Anyone have experience of this?

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anonandlikeit · 19/08/2008 11:42

Hi rascal, small head growth can be an indicator of other problems BUT it can also just be the size of her head IYKWIM.
Do you & your dh have small heads? often paeds don't take in to consideration size of family etc as they are very "by the book".
We had the opposite problem the paeds were concerned about ds2's v large head (ds2 born at 28 wks). In fact although my head is smaller than average dh's head is BIG & so is ds1.

Ds2 does have CP & Autism as a result of his prematurity but his head size is not related to his disabilities.

Not sure if this is reassuring, just wanted to share my experience.

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rascal1979 · 19/08/2008 17:30

thanks Anon. Just a bit worried hopefully someone will come along with advice on small heads!

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pipintroll · 28/08/2008 09:24

Has she been referred to the paed dietician because she is very small overall? Not just head size? My ds dropped below his usual centile for head measurement and nobody passed comment. I just assumed that it was because he was becoming more proportioned. Head always seemed too big for his little body.

The only advice I can offer is try not to worry and never do your own research on these things because as you say it will scare you to death.

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rascal1979 · 28/08/2008 22:58

pipintroll - she has been ref to dietician because she is below the 0.4th centile for weight and they hope that by increasing her weight her head circumfrence will increase too.

Not heard from the Dietician re a date for appt yet tho

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pipintroll · 29/08/2008 09:20

That's what I thought rascal. She sounds so tiny but perfect I bet! I hope you get your appt soon.

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rascal1979 · 03/09/2008 17:11

Hi having a bad day today feeling down and worried about DD.

On a positive note I have rung the dietician and she has managed to fit me in this friday due to a cancellation - should have been a 6-8 week wait so I am pleased with that.

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pipintroll · 04/09/2008 09:29

I know how you feel rascal. My ds is coming up to 12 months, 10 corrected and is not sitting or crawling. The paed referred him for physio at the end of July and we are still waiting for an appointment. The occupational therapists have visited us at home but there is really nothing they can do for us at this time.

I understand how you might feel. Frustration due to lack of immediate action( I just want to get on with it) and also such underlying worry about what it all means. I have bad days too but then pull myself together and remind myself that I am his advocate and must be strong!

Good luck for friday.

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rascal1979 · 06/09/2008 21:18

Hi Pipintroll - sorry you're having a bad time too so stressful isn't it.

Dietician appt went okay. Just confirmed that she is very small and unlikely to reach her full height potential. But developmentally fine.

Hope you get your appt soon xx

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pipintroll · 07/09/2008 21:31

Hi Rascal, glad the appt went ok and your dd is developing well.

We got our appt letter on fri morn- it is on the 25th sept so another 3 weeks to wait! I suppose they are in demand though and we just have to wait our turn!

xx

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HairyMaclary · 07/09/2008 21:41

Pipintroll, there are lots of things you can do with your DS if they are not sitting or crawling if you think you want to. My DS is an ex 29 weeker and does have CP, this was known as a possibility from very early on so he has always had input. We have done lots of physio and OT with him and started a 2.5 hour session once a week from when he was 6 months corrected. Push for more physio or OT input and ask about exercises you can do at home.
If you want I can point you in the direction of some books or give you ideas of exercises that may help. No pressure though as your appointment is soon, I just didn't think that it was right that the OT told you that not much could be done!

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pipintroll · 07/09/2008 22:18

Thanks HairyMaclary. I will certainly do all that you have suggested. His consultant has diagnaosed him with hypotonia. We have known since he was 5 weeks that he suffered hypoxia at some point either just before birth or during. I have googled CP and he does display some of the traits although his consultant has never mentioned it (yet). I think that the OTs meant that there was plenty that could be done re physio but not by them at this moment iyswim. I probably gave that the wrong wording!

I'm glad that your ds has had lots of physio and OT and I hope it has helped. I would be so grateful if you could point me in the direction of some books that could help us.

Many thanks.

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