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Head circumference testing

abbieaggieabbieaggie
in Babies: 6 - 9 Months

Any of you have this done for your 6 month old baby? Just had it done for DS3 and it was basically an ultrasound done on the soft spot.  I am just nervous when any testing is done (which thankfully I haven't had to have much on any of the kids).  Both my older guys had large heads and eventually grew into them and I didn't think DS3 was any larger than theirs.  Just wondering what to expect, all the ultrasound tech said was your doctor will call you.  I should have asked more questions at his last visit when she suggested it, but she made it seem like it was NBD and of course I'm all anxious and worried now.

I know I shouldn't google, but when I did, he doesn't have any of the symptoms they worry about like irritability, vomiting and eyes moving downward.  But I can't shake the doomsday feeling since it was a test for the LO.

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Re: Head circumference testing

  • ForeverEverAfterForeverEverAfter member
    Were they just checking if the soft spot had closed? Or is there something more theyre looking for? My LOs head is in the 90th percentile (weight is the 22nd). The Dr said it was still open and that he had no concerns about the size. 
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  • abbieaggieabbieaggie

    No, not the soft spot.  She said that closes between 6 & 9 months, it was the size and fast growth of his head they wanted to check to make sure his brain was developing normally before the soft spot closes. At 2 months he was on the smaller side but then he hit a growth spurt and has been gaining steadily ever since.  I'm not sure what the exact issue is since everything went from about the 25-50th percentile to the 90-95th, his head circ, weight & height.

    She said it is just a precaution while his spot is still open, it's easier to do an ultrasound of the brain from the top of the head.  If it was closed/he was older, they would have to put him under for a scan. I'm just nervous because my older two had big heads too IMO and never had anything like this. I am wondering if anyone else did this or any nurses/techs who routinely do this test.  Just in nervous mode.

    ETA - he hit his growth spurt a little after his 4 month check-up after I started supplementing, not at 2 months. But it was all around, weight, height & head circ. not just his head.

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  • NoelBirdNoelBird member
    I'm not sure if its the same thing but at DS's 6 month apt his head size was off the chart. He was sent for a cranial ultrasound for having a head size above the 97 percentile. We did an ultrasound and the results were that he had a large benign head. The pedi said they will track his development and as long as he hits his developmental milestones they aren't concerned. My DS also went from birth at 10%, 4 months at 75%, 6 months 90+%. Hopefully your LO just hit a growth spurt and his growth will level off. We haven't been to his 9 month apt yet but I'm not really concerned. He has been hitting his milestones and doesn't seem to have any other issues. 
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  • abbieaggieabbieaggie
    Thank you for that info! Sounds very similar to my LO's growth pattern. I'm sure everything is okay, his ped dr said precautionary test.  I just never heard of this with my other two and they had pretty large heads at this age too, so was wondering if it's new, routine or there is major cause for concern. I always joke they have big Irish heads like their dad and now I feel bad for joking... and worried!
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  • laxkal23laxkal23 member
    My nephew had to do this testing because of his quick head growth. It was just a precaution and he is a healthy and happy 4 year old who is just off the charts in sizes. Hope this helps bring some comfort.
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  • abbieaggieabbieaggie

    imagelaxkal23:
    My nephew had to do this testing because of his quick head growth. It was just a precaution and he is a healthy and happy 4 year old who is just off the charts in sizes. Hope this helps bring some comfort.

     It does!  Thanks, just never heard of it before and got nervous. Glad to hear others knowing about it and good results.  Hopefully dr calls me soon.  Trying to stay positive... have a great weekend mommies.

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  • abbieaggieabbieaggie
    F/U... dr got test results already, left me a message at home and he is fine, everything is normal. I kind of figured since he had none of the symptoms they list as concerns. However, taking any tests is nerve-wrecking.  Then I check my FB a bit ago and in my feed I see a story from Babble about bigger heads and growth in babies leading to higher IQs later in life. Not sure how true it is, but made me feel even better.  Thanks for your responses.
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