XP: LO has to have brain ultrasound

wheelenl · March 2010

LO just went to the doctor yesterday and his head circumference is off the charts. I'm trying not to worry about it yet but they are having me take him for a brain ultrasound b/c they are concerned there is too much fluid and he might have to get a shunt.

Anyone else deal with this?

madhatter2003 · March 2010

Is this your youngest? Has the percentile increased or just always been big?

Good luck! I'm sure it'll be fine, it's better to be safe I'm sure. He doesn't look like he has a big head though so that's why I was asking!

wheelenl · March 2010

madhatter2003:
Is this your youngest? Has the percentile increased or just always been big?
Good luck! I'm sure it'll be fine, it's better to be safe I'm sure. He doesn't look like he has a big head though so that's why I was asking!

His head didn't start THAT big. Then at the 2-month there was a lot of growth, but still OK as far as being on the same trending curve. Then this month, it was so big, the pedi didn't believe the nurse's measurements. It is literally off the charts, when she showed me the graph, it was like a straight line up.

He's big anyway, measuring 75% height and weight. My other DS never had a head size issue, although it's not small. (As in, never medically an issue but some shirts don't fit over his head.)

jenn_darrin1515 · March 2010

I just wanted to say I am sure they are just being extra cautious...good luck!

BizEB · March 2010

I dealt with this issue. Had to see a neurologist who determined that DS was ok. There are signs of hydrocephalus (sp?) like developmental delays that my DS didn't show. His head was off the charts for about 6 months, then it kind of leveled off and now he's at like 75%. GL- hope everything goes well.

mom2anangel · March 2010

We had the opposite problem - her head was too small - and they were afraid the soft spot closed up too soon. The ultrasound was not easy as we had to keep her still while they did it but it turned out fine.

FWIW, my half bro has fluid on the brain and has a shunt and besides that he is perfectly healthy - he's 30 yo and graduated from college, owns his own place and just finished his CPA. He's had a couple surgeries to replace the shunt as he's outgrown then but other than that it's been relatively no big deal.

GL to you, I hope it turns out that your LO just has a big head!

duchess0727 · March 2010

My daughter has the opposite problem, too. She has microcephaly - her head has never been on the charts at all. She has had a brain U/S and an MRI (among many other tests). The brain U/S is quick and they can read the results right away. We still had to wait for them to fax the radiologist's report to our ped, but the ped stayed late so we could get our results before the end of the day (the U/S was at 1 pm). Bring a bottle or pacifier if he takes one - that made it easier to keep her still and not crying. Good luck and hope he just has a big head!