[valmartin]

Please help…..I need some advice about infant weight and head circumference. I have reviewed the online growth charts and have even consulted with a pediatrician. I wanted to find out if anyone else has had a low birth weight baby boy with similar growth rates in regards to head circumference and weight.

Here are my Guatemalan son’s stats:

Birth: Weight: 5.3 pounds
Height: 46 cm
Head Circumference: 32 cm

1 month old: Weight: 7.8 pounds
Height: 49 cm
Head Circumference: 34 cm

2 month old: Weight: 8.10 pounds
Height: 51 cm
Head Circumference: 35.5 cm

If your child was low birth weight and had a similar head circumference to my son’s, please let me know.
I am concerned about my son’s growth and the possibility of him being labeled “failure to thrive” due to his weight and head circumference.

Thanks

[saranbr]

I'm not looking at a growth curve and your guy started out little, but he is showing steady growth in L, OFC and wt-- that is a good thing. One rule of thumb to remember: babies generally double their birth wt by six months, something your little one is well on his way to. If he were mine, I would be happy to see the steady growth in all three parameters.

[capt911k]

Start shopping for a ped's doc. One that might specialize in latin america.

With that said ... To a former Medic and Millitary medic. I'm not seeing anything in the numbers that I'm truely concerned with. I'm seeing growth and gain.

One thing to remember.

These children have the potential to be smaller. Our sone is.

My D.S. is 15 months old and bairly makes the U.S. charts on wight and head size. But he is doing wonderful.

If your concerned talk with a Pediatrician.

[waitingforIsabel]

I'm obviously not an expert, but the first thing that I notice is that he is consistently growing in all three areas. That is great! I would talk to a pediatrician though to set your mind at ease. My Isabel's growth pattern looks very similar to your son's, by the way.

[au06]

our daughter (I know that yours is a boy) had similar measurements at birth
weight 5 lbs, 12 ounces
height 54 cm
hc 32 cm

she is six now and extremely healthy - did not miss a single day of school last year for any illness, only one ear infection in her life, only been on antibiotics twice - etc.
she is still on the small side and still very low on the US charts
I would recommend talking to your ped.

[calebs dad]

I was in the same position a month ago when I accepted my referral. My son was three and a half months and weight was ten pounds and eight ounces. His height was 58 cm and head cir was 39cm. I did consult a IA pediatrician who reviewed his medical and video. She said that he was on level in the video with his age. She was concerned with him being so small and requested I find out his birth weight and stats. We found out he was only four pounds and eight ounces at birth so he is growing very well. Your little guy is showing growth as well and that is what they look for. The video of my son is what made me feel better about accepting my referral because he is so active. I hope this helps.

[Rhody]

Your son's measurements look similar to our son's. Our son was 5 lbs at birth, and we watched his measurements anxioiusly during the wait for the process to be completed.
We consulted with an international adoption clinic near our home, and they also were watching his measurements. They told us the fact that our son's
measurements were increasing at a similar rate each month was a good sign; he increased at about the same rate as your son.
We brought him home in August at 8 mo, and he weighed almost 17 pounds.
He's grown much more since then, and the doctors say he is doing great.
Another thing to keep in mind is your son's birth parents' size. I know our son's birthmother was under 5 feet.

[dspakowsky]

My oldest daughter started out with nearly the same measurements. She's now 14 months old and in the 80-90 percentile for everything. She's a very big girl.

I bet your baby is fine.

[ShellyfromTN]

Val -

I e-mailed you the growth chart I have. Let me know if you don't get it.

Shelly

[Payne]

My daughther had almost the exact stats. She came home very healthy at 4 months not weighing quite 10 pounds. She is still mall but a lot healthier than my bio son ever was! Rarelysick and very smart! There was once a website with aisan growth charts that more closely match the latin children. I looked at that to ease my mind.

As long as he is growing steadily, I would not be concerned.

Payne

[valmartin]

A HUGE thank you to everyone that took the time to provide me with feedback and advice. I really appreicate it.
I have made reservations to visit my son on Nov. 21, 2006 and plan to personally weight and measure him. I guess the best I can do is to keep him in my prayers and stay on my agency for regular medical reports.

This entire adoption process is such an uncertain and control-less experience.

Please remember my son in your thouhts and prayers as I continue to do the same for the other children/cases on this forum.

Thanks again.

[AngelQT]

Anglena is almost 6 months now, and just under doubling her weight. She is 12 lbs, and was amost 7 at birth... But she was long... 21 in...

Guatemalan children seem to be on the lower end... At least he is growing, I would be more concerned if his weight was dropping ...

Hugs!

[maryannm]

When we received the referral on our baby boy, he was only 4.11 at birth. I was so concerned about his weight we almost did not accept him. I spoke to someone from another adoption agency who really knew the Guat. babies and she told me that they cant be compared to US babies because the US babies are so big, that a 5 lb. baby is average in Guat. This girl had also adopted a baby from Guat. whose weight was under 5 lbs. at birth but is now older and doing great. I hope this helps you!

[Niclayson]

I'm a nurse. Please see the pediatrician to put yourself at ease. I do think that the numbers look fine. He should double his birthweight by 6 months and he's well on his way!!!