ct scan for big head - long

zazzu

W had his 12 mo check up yesterday. It seems his head size has gone up too much. They said the growth curve is too steep, going from 50th % at 6 mo to 100th% at 12 mo. They said that if he had always had a big head they wouldn't be concerned, or if his dad and I had big heads too. But that paired with his slight gross motor skills delay has caused them to order a ct scan to make sure there isn't fluid in his brain. The dr wouldn't get into any specifics with me on causes or treatments until they see what's going on. She didn't want to speculate.

I'm a wreck about it. I don't feel like there is anything wrong with him. I know it was a terrible idea for me to go online to look it up, but I didn't have much to go by from the Dr. He doesn't have symptoms like irratability (he's the happiest baby ever), lethargy, or droopy eyes. He just wears a toddler hat size. The scan is scheduled for tomorrow morning and they are going to try the scan without sedating him. They will strap him to a board. This has me stressing so bad that I started crying as I typed that.

I'm glad they are acting in his best interest, but part of me feels like I've had so many procedures done on the little guy already. He was breech born, so he had his hips monitored and saw an orthopedist. Because of that we had many ultrasounds at the mfm office. He also showed some kidney enlargement in utero so he's seen a urologist too. (Which he is also getting an ultrasound on his kidneys tomorrow as his 1 year follow up). He was a poor eater so we spent a lot of time at the evergreen bfing center just to end up supplementing with formula.

I don't want to say I don't think the procedure is necessary because what if something is wrong. I just feel like it's such a big deal, to only in the end say he has a big head.

Thanks for reading. I just needed to share since I haven't wanted to talk about it at all with anyone.

ckmommy

Oh man, poor little guy and poor mommy. I hope everything comes out ok.

kristalovesjared

I'm sorry you're having to go through this! But like you said, it's all for the best. At least he is still young enough that he will not remember it when he's older. That's what I tell myself about DD (She was in the NICU at birth, has had a PICC line which took 3 attempts to put in because she was too feisty and tons of testing for a blood disorder that she has). Hang in there and it's better to know everything is alright! Hopefully he just has a big head!

MrsKatie

Hang in there!  It is the best thing to do for him.  It's only a one-time procedure (as of now) and it is precautionary.  Keep your chin up and let us know how it goes.  <<Hugs>>

Zista

Big big hugs.  Remember Isaac had an U/S on his head for growing too quickly, only for us it was 50 percentile at birth to off the charts at ~7 months.   It turned out to be nothing.  Another of my friends had the same thing, and they found a little bit of extra fluid around the brain, but no issues. 

I know it's hard, but remember everything else with W. has turned out fine, and the chances are this is no different.   Hopefully all this means is that you have to buy one size up in shirts like we do to fit over the huge noggin'.  And remember... Einstein's brain was 15% bigger than the average (his mother even thought he was retarded due to the big head size).

Big, big hugs. 

KNemo

Big hugs, mama. If I were in your shoes, I would be terrified as well. I am glad they are getting you in for a CT scan soon, but that doesn't stop a mother from worrying. I am sending you all the get well baby vibes I can muster! I hope it turns out to be just one, big, gigantic head! GL tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and baby!

Alli923

I had a ridiculous amount of appts. throughout my pregnancy, many tests and scans.  We saw the lactation specialist many times.  And honestly, I wouldn't change any of it.  Not one second. I know that my baby is healthy and happy. And, if something was wrong, we would be able to be proactive about it and get her the best care possible.  

You're taking care of your child and making sure that he is on track for growth and development, there is nothing to feel bad about!

Anita_69

Oh I'm so sorry you are going through this! Poor little guy. I know having to put your child through any procedure feels like the worst thing ever but it's all worth it in the end. I hope the scan goes well tomorrow!

doublem

Huge hugs to you, M!  This would be so scary to me, too, but I'm hoping that it turns out to just be another time that you're being a good mama and making sure everything is fine.  A lot of kids have times where one part of their body grows way faster (or slower) than others.  Let me know if you need something to do to stay busy while you wait for results.

LauraLynneC

Oh Mama - I'm so sorry this is so stressfull!!  I will keep you in my thoughts as you get through the next bit of time until the results are back (and it turns out your LO is just super SMART and needs the brain space! )

hang in there!

MrsEditorJax

Alli923:

I had a ridiculous amount of appts. throughout my pregnancy, many tests and scans.  We saw the lactation specialist many times.  And honestly, I wouldn't change any of it.  Not one second. I know that my baby is healthy and happy. And, if something was wrong, we would be able to be proactive about it and get her the best care possible.  

You're taking care of your child and making sure that he is on track for growth and development, there is nothing to feel bad about!

THIS! Hope everything turns out just fine!

QuincysBerry

Aww, hang in there...we're all here to help you and W get through this. I hope your little guy will come out of it all just fine, his big boy genius head and all! Hugs  

dmoreilly

Anita_69:

Oh I'm so sorry you are going through this! Poor little guy. I know having to put your child through any procedure feels like the worst thing ever but it's all worth it in the end. I hope the scan goes well tomorrow!

This exactly!

keri1013

I would be really scared too, I am hoping that you get the all clear and he just has a big head. Like some others have said, we spent a lot of time with lactation, the pediatrician, and then speech and physical therapy over Max's first two years (and he too has a giant head, btw). Today he is all caught up and is your typical two year old. It was all worth it. Hang in there and keep us posted!

zazzu

Thanks for the support, everyone.  Apparently it's just the procedures tomorrow, with no consultations from the drs. W and I leave town on Friday so hopefully we get to talk to someone before then. I also hope they get the images they need since we will be away for a while. We will have to reschedule and have anestesia if W won't hold still. I'm prepared to delay our departure if they need us to stay for any reason, but I'm thinking positive and that they won't need to see us again.

tfarabians

I'm so sorry!  I can only imagine how tired you are of dr offices and false alrarms that you have gotten all worked up about.  One can only pray this is just another false alarm!!  Hugs to you!

MrsAmyB

Big hugs! This happened to us, too so I want to let you k ow how that turned out. Ryans head size skyrocketed at about 6 months and had a CT scan and later an MRI because of it. I was o erwhelmed and very scared as I'm sure you are right now. The 'what ifs' are difficult to ignore. It came out that Ryan had too much fluid inside and outside of his brain. His soft spot was still present so we were able to check if there wasn't too much pressure since it was concave and not firm. A second scan a few mo ths later showed only change to the brain matter and not to the fluid which is good news. We now measure and track his circumference weekly. I was initially scared about him having the scan but it was fairly quick and not traumatizing. They put him in a tiny gown and swaddled him up and put him in the machine. He was only in there for about 30 seconds and I talked to him and kept eye contact with a little mirror. I learned from this process that in the case of hydrocephalus, finding out early will almost always result in no long lasting effects. I googled too and the stories of hydrocephalus were horrible to read but they are really more worst-case and situations where it wasn't caught and treated with a shunt. Either way, this is your baby and your worries are warranted. This is our only issue with Ryan but my girls have multiple issues so I can sympathize with you that it seems to be never ending. Please keep us updated and I'll be sending thoughts and prayers to your family. *hugs!

kaskade

Hugs, this is stressful.  K has had so many ultrasounds and x-rays for her hips and sometimes I get frustrated and sick of the emotional rollercoaster.  Are we testing enough?  Too little, too much?  Ugh.  I will say that every time we go in we are reminded that the radiology people are really good at what they do, are conscientous to be fast and accurate and talk both baby and parents through it all. 

Trust your gut, it's probably nothing, but with something like this it is so important to know for sure.  Then you can tell everyone I told you so after it's all cleared

DAWNNA76

hugs, I amso sorry this is so upsetting for you. little ones are resiliant and I am sure he will be fine but its a great thingthat your doctors are so careful and looking out for him.