XP: Ok, so now I'm worried

levans · November 2008

We just got back from DD's six month appt with the pedi. Her weight and height are great but her head continues to be on the small side. Her head is in the 3rd percentile. At the four month it was in the 5th. Dr. said she wants me to bring DD back in for a head growth check in four weeks. If her head growth falls off the 3rd percentile, she wants to order an ultrasound of her brain. She told me that DD looks fine and that she could just be taking after my husband who has a small head for his height too. She said not to worry. Um, yeah right. I'm trying not to be a nervous nelly over it. The good news is she said DD's head looks much rounder than it did at the four month appt. So that's good.

Anyone else have a baby with a tiny noggin? I figured I would ask on this board to see if anyone that has a baby older than mine can tell me about their experience. TIA.

crazytmogirl · November 2008

I'm sure everything is OK, but I know you must be worried. What are her percentiles for height and weight?

levans · November 2008

52% for height and 50% for weight

She's 15lb 10 oz and 26 inches.

She was 6lbs 14oz and 20 inches at birth .

almost momma of two · November 2008

My kids have the opposite. Their heads are way over the top of the charts. It just runs in my family. I have a big noggin too. I wouldn't be too worried.

Temp146997687502158 · November 2008

I have myself and 3 friends that have had months of worring over head size (too big for us) It continues to fluctuate and I swear they don't measure it the same everytime. I'd be cautious but not worried. 99% of the time it is nothing! Espcially if your DD is hitting all the other milestones and not showing others signs.

ohdeedoh · November 2008

We went through the same thing, but my son has a huge noggin. We had to have growth checks on his head, but he ended up being fine. TRY not to worry

KristinKD · November 2008

I can understand why that would freak you out, but try not to worry too much. I am sure your DD is fine, but it's better to check it out and be safe than sorry.

Be sure to let us know how it goes.

milfy1 · November 2008

Try not to freak out. DS's head was off the charts humongous for his first 2 years of life, and I was always worried about it.

Your dd is so cute, btw.

citygirl_ · November 2008

This happened just recently to my cousin's daughter! They thought the growth plates in her head had fused early, but nope - just turns out her head is on the small side! THe doctor said it's quite common for infants' growth plates to be a bit closer than "normal" ... does your daughter have a small soft spot? That is what alerted my cousin's doctor and why she was sent to a specialist.

jessicasuzann · November 2008

My DD was 6-1 and 20.5 at birth, and her head was in the 1st %tile! Now, at 8 months, she is in the 20%tile for weight, 75th for height, and 30th for head. So she's still on the small side, but fine. I imagine your dd is absolutely fine, too. It's not as though she is in the 99th%tile for height and weight or anything. And really, the difference between the 10th and 90th %tile are only a centimeter or 2 at this age--so if your dd was squirming at all during the measurement, or if the nurse got her at a "flatter" spot, that can effect the reading. So take a deep breath and try not to be concerned. At least she's on the charts...my DH was such a small baby (and he still has a small head...he's pretty skinny too) that he didn't even make it on the charts! And he is fine! He's apparently got plenty of brains; he got a full ride in a private college. ;-)

Califlorida · November 2008

dd's head is always measuring small. but since it's consistantly small dr said not to worry.

Heather R · November 2008

Surely do hope all is well.

ebb7 · November 2008

My DD is in the 10th percentile for head circumference (she started off in the 25th percentile). I have a small head though, so I'm not worried. Ped. isn't either.