Re: Question on head circumference ??

November 9, 2004

Hi there

I have been in a similar situation. Whilst I can't say for your

daughter, and it is always worth getting these things checked out by

a doctor, I was relieved when I discussed it with a GP friend and my

cranio-facial specialist. My daughter is on the 75% percentile in

terms of length and weight (down from 95th weight!), but her head

circumference is between 20th and 9th (now growing on the 9th). It

was on the 50th but dropped at around 4 months. I was concerned so

checked it out with the specialist who cared for Lucia whilst she

had her helmet, and he said there was no problem. Similarly I

checked (as neurotic mothers do) with a GP friend of mine, and she

likewise told me there is no real issue, the only problem with a

very small head circumference is if there is very major

developmental delay. Your daughter sounds on target or advanced for

her age, just as my daughter is, so I don't think there is any

reason to worry.

By the way- you would think she would look bizarre with a small head

circumference and a large body (on the charts), but it is not

noticeable at all. In fact, it made me wonder about these charts we

all get so worked up about...

Hopefully you will be a bit reassured by this, but it might help to

speak to a health professional about this. There really is no reason

to worry about head circumference though, unless it is also

accompanied by very significant signs of delay (and I don't mean

just being a bit off the average).

Hope this helps

Hannah (mum to Lucia, London, UK)

Cranio grad.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <r_shields21@y...>

wrote:

>

> Hello all. I have a question about head circumference. When a

child

> has the Plagio/Brachy does that affect the size of the head? Could

> it make the numbers be off if the head is growing in a strange

> direction? The reason I ask is because yesterday at 's well

> baby visit she pointed out that her head circumferance is just

below

> the last line, same as her weight. So she wants to wait and see if

> she has a small head due to poor nutrition (keep in mind they were

> not feeding her at day care properly, but now she is at home).

> is 9 months old and weighs 14 pounds, 11 ounces and is 27.5 inches

> long. On the length she is fine. she is right between the 50/75%

> line, but for weight and head circumference they are starting to

> follow the last line. Has any one els had this? She is bright and

> seems to be normal by all standers of testing. She even says DA-

DA,

> Bah-Bah, Baby, Yesterday she told my husband Bah-Bah (he thaught

she

> was just making the sound till she got mad) She was askin for a

> bottle. She is eating awsome now that she is home. I don't know

what

> to think of all of this. Any thaughts? It dosn't meen that she

will

> have Microcephaly does it?

November 9, 2004

,

My daughter, Remy, also had plagio/brachy. Her head was flattened

upwards above the circumference line where the ped took the head

circumference measurement, so her true head size wasn't properly

reflected. Remy was at the 35%ile before aggressive repo, and

jumped up to the 55%ile after aggressive repo efforts resulted in

her head popping out/rounding out right at the area where the

circumference was taken.

I hope this helps!

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)