Head Ultrasound

emmy236 · September 2013

Just seeing if any one else had to do this? DS's head has been measuring off the charts since birth and the doctor is concerned enough that we have to see a pediatric neurologist and have an ultrasound done of his head. They are concerned about hydrosphefolis and I have a family history of brain cancer (3 generations and counting). They told me the odds are extremely low but still makes me nervous. Anyone else have to take their LOs in for this?

Mommymorticia · September 2013

I'm sorry you are going through this, try to stay positive. I am considering taking T in because, well his head just looks strange. I'm not sure if I'm paranoid or if he might need a helmet. People are making fun of him. I also have to cut the neck of his outfits to get them on and he can wear a 2T hat. Idk where it ranks on size, they never tell us.

ConnieRob · September 2013

DS1 had to have a full body scan at 6 months due to being jostled roughly at daycare ( got caught on camara by the owner). Because the authorities were involved we had to use the facility that they paid for and were taken in w/o an appointment. We had to wait almost 6 hours to be seen and that was after driving 2 hours to the children's hospital. It was probably 8 or 9 at night before they did the scan which actually worked out perfectly because he was so tired he fell asleep for the scan and did not have to be sedated.

So my best advice is to time the appointment during a typical sleep or nap time if possible. I hope that it turns out to be nothing and that your LO is just fine.

MoreThanABride · September 2013

My dd showed an enlarged brain ventricle on ultrasounds before she was born. We had to take her in for a head ultrasound when she was a week old and they said everything looked normal. The procedure was really easy, she just laid on the need while they did it, and we had it done through the children's hospital so it was a very kid friendly place.

emmy236 · September 2013

Thanks everyone. We had to have an ultrasound done on his spine too when he was just a week old and that was easy. They had a nice heated blanket and he snoozed and we were done quickly. Everything was fine then so hopefully it's ok this time too. It's at 530 on Monday so DH can be there. He missed the spine ultrasound and the frenulum clipping for his tongue tie issue so he wasn't getting out of this one!

minerswife17 · September 2013

ConnieRob said:
DS1 had to have a full body scan at 6 months due to being jostled roughly at daycare ( got caught on camara by the owner). Because the authorities were involved we had to use the facility that they paid for and were taken in w/o an appointment. We had to wait almost 6 hours to be seen and that was after driving 2 hours to the children's hospital. It was probably 8 or 9 at night before they did the scan which actually worked out perfectly because he was so tired he fell asleep for the scan and did not have to be sedated.

So my best advice is to time the appointment during a typical sleep or nap time if possible. I hope that it turns out to be nothing and that your LO is just fine.

I'm so sorry that your son and you had to go through that. I'm so glad they were caught on camera though!

kelly422 · September 2013

ConnieRob said:

DS1 had to have a full body scan at 6 months due to being jostled roughly at daycare ( got caught on camara by the owner). Because the authorities were involved we had to use the facility that they paid for and were taken in w/o an appointment. We had to wait almost 6 hours to be seen and that was after driving 2 hours to the children's hospital. It was probably 8 or 9 at night before they did the scan which actually worked out perfectly because he was so tired he fell asleep for the scan and did not have to be sedated. So my best advice is to time the appointment during a typical sleep or nap time if possible. I hope that it turns out to be nothing and that your LO is just fine.

Actually, babies don't need to be sedated for a head ultrasound so it doesn't matter if it's nap time. The only thing they would need to be sedated for is a MRI of the head. Even a CT scan is super quick.

cassielynn09 · September 2013

MoreThanABride said:

My dd showed an enlarged brain ventricle on ultrasounds before she was born. We had to take her in for a head ultrasound when she was a week old and they said everything looked normal. The procedure was really easy, she just laid on the need while they did it, and we had it done through the children's hospital so it was a very kid friendly place.

This was us also.DS had enlarged ventricles on prenatal ultrasounds. DS had his done at 2 weeks and he was asleep the whole time. He just laid on a bed and it took about 10 minutes. Good luck to you, I know how scary it is.

Jenn5412 · September 2013

OP- my LO had an cranial U/S at 2 months because his head circumference jumped in size and his pedi was worried about hydrocephalus (sp?) He actually slept through the U/S and didn't even need to be taken out of his car seat. My LO was diagnosed with torticollis and mild plagiocephaly which cause his head circumference to increase.

Do you have the U/S scheduled? I was able to get an appointment within 2 days of calling, I had to drive an hour to a site that had openings but it was worth getting the U/S as soon as possible. I was so worried before the U/S even though LO didn't have a bulging soft spot sun setting eyes (other hydrocephalus symptoms).

Stay strong.

smm5 · September 2013

My first son, (now 2.5 years old) had a large head circumference that jumped off the charts at 4 months. He also presented to the ER with a bulging fontanelle and fever, so got the whole work up, lumbar puncture, head CT and MRI. They initially were thinking brain tumor, but after the neuro consult ended up being benign external hydrocephalus. A big way of saying a big head. It means he had some extra fluid outside of the brain that does not cause any problems or need any treatment. He is a normal 2 year old now. My 5 month old also has a large head, but no jump yet, so we will see if he gets worked up or not. It can be a very scary time, but hopefully it is something simple as this for you. Good luck.

CougFan · September 2013

My 6 year old has a big head, the doctor didn't have us get it checked until 10 months and by then they could no longer see what they needed with an US so he had to be sedated for an MRI. All was well but I wish we could have done the ultrasound!

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