Odd ultrasound size measurements - anyone else?

vszapp · March 2014

Just had a follow-up ultrasound to check baby's kidneys since they were a tiny bit dilated at 20 weeks. LO is measuring 95th percentile (2 weeks ahead) for head circumference and also large for abdomen (90th percentile, 2 weeks ahead) but small for humerus and femur length (~25th percentile for each - 5 days behind). The doc (associated with the ultrasound center, not my MW) came in after the scan and asked if I had been tested for GD (I def do not have GD) due to the large abdomen. Based on all measurements baby is ~4lb14oz and 75th percentile.

He said the abdomen may be something to keep an eye on but that my MW prob would not change management of the pregnancy at this point. Of course as a crazy hormonal wreck I can't help but worry a bit. DH is 6'0" and I'm 5'7", so a short kid is probably not in our future. Anyone else have a similar experience with this or a previous pregnancy? Could this be an ultrasound anomaly or is something funky going on? We did get MaterniT21 tested and it was negative...

vszapp · March 2014

kitchencolors said:
Sounds like it's probably just the way your child is growing. If the doctor didn't think it was a huge deal then it probably isn't. Sorry it's stressful, though!

Thanks, I think he gave us more of a "there's not much you can do about it, whatever might be going on" than a dismissal, unfortunately. I'm just hoping this kid doesn't come out too freaky!

bcnoelle · March 2014

My 28 week growth ultrasound (for single umbilical artery) showed a smaller head circumference (about 22%) , good sized belly (75th percent), and crazy long limbs (>95th percent). We are calling her a giraffe. I take all of it with a grain of salt!

awc1986 · March 2014

At 28 weeks, my bub was measuring all over the percentiles for different parts of her body. 50th for this, 28th for that, 18th for something else. As long as your dr is ok with it, then I wouldn't worry.

cynthiarene · March 2014

We had the same reaction re: GD concern from the doc at the antenatal testing center. Our new OB thought he was ridiculous for scaring us like that over the measuring ahead #s... I share that only to help calm you down. Our guy scared us for nothing... Try to remember all the crazy (wrong) stories people have shared on here re: ultrasound misinformation.

IBackBevo · March 2014

I am not sure about the other measurements, but my son's head has always been much larger than his other measurements. He hadiiugr in utero so that was expected, but even as a child his head has been on the 99th- 100th where weight and height have been low. He just seemingly has a freakishly large head.

ThereBeDragons · March 2014

We've got a bobble headed baby too. But wasn't surprising because DH has an absolutely massive head circumference even as an adult. She's got short legs too- but that's not surprising either because I come from a long line of very short women. My mom didn't hit 5 foot until her 20s. But both measurements are on the charts- just outliers so I figure she can't be too strangely shaped when she pops out.