[2nd time round]

I tried to let this issue go and now I am freaking out about it. I had posted awhile back about Blanca and her teeth. She got her first six year molar at age three. She is getting her second one now, at age 4 and 1 month. She lost a tooth a couple of weeks ago, and now will be loosing a 2nd one soon. I was told that maulnutrition usually delays molar eruption and loss of teeth. I am sending her to Preschool tomorrow and now I feel overwhelmed questioning if she should really be going to kindergarden. Has anyone's bio or adopted children experienced dental timelines like this? What would you do?????

At referral she was only 21#'s and 3 years old. If she was really 4 or 5 at 21#'s I really would've been concerned about her health.

Sorry to ramble, I am just confused!!!

[becky]

The only real way to know her age would be to do the bone testing. I really do not think it matters. Is she developmentally, academically, and socially ready for Kindergarten? If she isn't, then do not question yourself. Even if she is 5 years old, if she isn't ready for that experience you do her no service by sending her to Kindergarten yet.

If you really want to know her age you are going to have to have the testing done....I don't think you are going to ever be able to tell by how her teeth come in or are lost.

I really wouldn't worry too much about this. What if she is a year older than the other children? There are plenty of kids whose parents don't send them to Kindergarten until they are 6 and they never think anything about it...I think you will be fine either way.

[LucyLuMyLuv]

Elizabeth was 32 lbs when she came home at 6 years old. She just turned 7 and just lost her first tooth. My other 7 year old lost her first tooth at 4 1/2 years old. I was concerned that it was too early but the dentist was not as long as she was losing them in the correct order. I would highly recommend seeing an endocrinologist and having a bone age done. While it may not change what you do as far as sending Blanca to to Kindergarten instead of Preschool, it might give you a point of reference for any other precocious development in the future, especially precocious sexual development. While a bone age by itself might not tell you anything, with looking at everything else it might give you a clearer understanding of her actual age -- whether it be 4 or 6. Another thought -- going from a period of poor nutrition to sudden good nutrition can put the body into a sort of shock and can cause precocious development.

[judybwise]

We have had our daughter home since July 24th. The age given to her was 3 years and 8 months at that time. We were so concerned because she was extremely smart and very bilingual. We could not image a child of that age being so advanced. We took her to our pediatrician and after her check-up, she had the same thoughts as we, that she was older. She ordered a bone scan (your insurance will pay for this if the dr. states that there are issues concerning size for her age, or at least ours did.) We waited anxiously for three days to get the results. This was after she had been home one month. The results came back 3 years and 9 months (her exact age given to us.) There is a margin of error of 3 to 5 months (estimation), but our doctor felt sure that it was pretty accurate and that she is very bright for her age. We were so relieved to have this info. It would give you more peace of mind to have something a little more concrete. I suggest having it done, if for no other reason than your own sanity! It helped me.

[2nd time round]

Thanks, I do think I need to have the tests done. I will call the Dr. tomorrow. Obviously if I question it now and I can't put it behind me, I will question it forever and she probably will as well. I hope she is really 4 or 5, and that I don't have to change anything. If it comes back stating she is more likely 6, I think I will feel she should for sure be in Kindergarten. My worst fear is her getting her period when she is in 3rd grade or so because her age is so off.

[judybwise]

One more bit of news... this evening my daughter was complaining of her mouth hurting. I looked inside and her 6 year molars are coming in! Her gums are swollen on both sides of her jaws! I don't remember how old our other children were when they got their 6 year molars, but I think it was fairly early. I don't know if being Guatemalan changes things that much or not. Maybe our kids are advanced because of all they have been through. Maybe this little bit of news will make you feel better. I hope things go well. Let me know what the bone scan reveals. Good luck!

[2nd time round]

Judy, You didn't say how old your daughter is. I'm very curious to know. Thanks!!