[arkansas parent]

Has anyone elses baby's head not grew for a few months? Baby A's head has been 45cm since he was around 5 months. He had X-rays to rule out craniosynostosis. He goes back this week to have it measured again. At 7 mo his head was in the 70th percentile. I think maybe he is just growing into his big head. The doctor thinks maybe since his head is reshaping itself (had/has a flat spot)it is not growing.

[nikkianni]

Originally Posted by arkansas parent

Has anyone elses baby's head not grew for a few months? Baby A's head has been 45cm since he was around 5 months. He had X-rays to rule out craniosynostosis. He goes back this week to have it measured again. At 7 mo his head was in the 70th percentile. I think maybe he is just growing into his big head. The doctor thinks maybe since his head is reshaping itself (had/has a flat spot)it is not growing.

My DD has craniosynostosis/trigonocephaly. But it's a very mild case, not needing any surgery or even a helmet. However she does have unspecified developmental delays to go with it
I know how scary this.
DD's head circumference has never been near the 70th percentile....more like the 7th actually. And that was back when she was on the charts. Her head did not grow at all between 12 and 18 months. We had to go back to the specialists to make sure everything was OK, more tests, etc. After a year of back and forth, three CTs, two xrays, a DNA test, two visits to the eye doctor and one developmental evaluation, we were sent home with a pat on the head and a clean bill of health, delays notwithstanding.
That said, does baby A have any delays or other issues? Does he show any sign of head pain? What did the xray show? DD's first xray was inconclusive.
I actually diagnosed DD (I know, I know, you shouldn't do that) and virtually made her ped send her for tests because he just didn't want to do it.
So go with your gut here. If you agree with your ped, let it ride for a while. If you feel more might be going on, definitely ask for a referral to a specialist. And don't back down until you get one.

[denise marie]

Our sons head does not grow very much and he was Diagnosed with Microcephaly,He is 9 yrs old and his head is 42 cm.But has done AMAZINGLY well.

[arkansas parent]

The X-rays showed that none of his bones have fused. The doctor was worried they might have because of his small soft spot.
He shows no sign of head pain. He was a little delayed until has was 6mo then he caught up. The doctor said he is doing GREAT for a baby his age.

[Amber76]

Did the same nurse or doctor measure his head at all of his visits? I ask because when one nurse measured our son's head, she got a MUCH smaller measurement than the one from his previous measurement. When his usual nurse measured, his head had actually grown some. Every nurse/doctor might do it just enough different that a small amount of growth doesn't show if it's a different person measuring. Just a thought-I'm certainly not an expert:-)

[arkansas parent]

The same doctor measures his head. She tried several different times trying to get a larger measurement.

[Nevada Jen]

My recollection is that is when head growth starts to slow anyway. I wouldn't rule out bad measurements (just cause she couldn't get a bigger measurement this time, doesn't mean she didn't get too big of a measurement last time). On the other hand, if this next visit does not resolve it, you should ask for a referral to a neurologist. I bet it will all turn out to be nothing but you are clearly worried and it seems like your peds are kind of leaving you hanging.

[nikkianni]

The fact that his skull hasn't fused is a very good sign. So is the fact that he's not showing any delays or odd behavior.
It's when those other things come up with a non-growing head that you really have to be concerned.
That said, I agree that if his head hasn't grown at his next appointment, I'd ask for a consultation with a neuro. It won't hurt a thing and it'll put your mind at ease.

[arkansas parent]

Originally Posted by Nevada Jen

My recollection is that is when head growth starts to slow anyway. I wouldn't rule out bad measurements (just cause she couldn't get a bigger measurement this time, doesn't mean she didn't get too big of a measurement last time). .

I never thought of that. She said he had a large growth between the 4-5mo check up. ( maybe it was the 3-4 mo checkup) . It was somewhere around a 1 1/2 cm growth. Since he screams and tries to get away from her it is possible she got it wrong that time. ( I know last time was right because I held him down while she checked it several times.)

[bookwormmommy]

My daughter has a small head and is perfectly fine. She did have a CAT scan I believe at around 18mths to be sure. My father and I both have smaller heads. I can wear most children hats etc. We had to made the doctors understand that it was just a genetic things that she was fine, since she didn't match their growth charts. I know her medical charts say that she has some fancy word mean small head.

[arkansas parent]

His head grew a 1/2 cm!!!

[Amber76]

Originally Posted by arkansas parent

His head grew a 1/2 cm!!!

Hooray! So glad that you won't have to worry as much now and thanks for the update!

[arkansas parent]

Now I have his ears to worry about. He has his second ear infection. The doctor said he may be one of those kids who always has them

[Bunnygirl]

Glad to hear his head is growing again! Although I was originally going to second (third?) the post about bad measurements -- from what I've heard it's really common because different people put the tape measure around slightly different parts of the baby's head. Also, I don't know about your child but my son HATES being measured, weighed, etc. & writhes, screams & knocks the tapemeasure away during the head measurement. For such a little guy he's pretty strong (and determined).

[arkansas parent]

Originally Posted by Bunnygirl

Glad to hear his head is growing again! Although I was originally going to second (third?) the post about bad measurements -- from what I've heard it's really common because different people put the tape measure around slightly different parts of the baby's head. Also, I don't know about your child but my son HATES being measured, weighed, etc. & writhes, screams & knocks the tapemeasure away during the head measurement. For such a little guy he's pretty strong (and determined).

Your son sounds just like baby A . He filps out whenever the nurse or doctor comes near him.