We had a regular check-up with our pediatrician today and she is concerned about our little ones head size....? She is 15mo old (18lbs) & was born at 5lbs 13 oz. She has always been on the lower end of the percentiles in EVERYTHING (height, weight, head, etc). I was a small baby as well so hubby & I are not concerned. She is healthy and hitting every milestone she should be. Up until now our ped has not been concerned at all as long as she continues to make her own curve, which she is. So when she suggested to us that she was ordering an MRI to check things out regarding her head size we were a bit confused. Just wondering if any mama's out there with little babies have had something similar be suggested or any experiences that can guide us. Our instinct tells us to give her another couple of months & see how she continues to grow, especially since she has recently grown in height over the past 3 months. Thanks!
Anything can change as a child grows. If the pediatrician is concerned and believes your child needs an MRI, then have it done. Hopefully everything turns out fine and her suspicions are put to rest. But like the Sarah and Robert E. posted previously, if there is something wrong, the sooner you know the better, especially true when concerning the brain and it's development. Good Luck and thoughts are with you and your daughter.
I had a freind with the opposite problem (head too big) and was ordered an MRI - everything was ok but it was so much better to know for sure. Chances are, everything is ok with your daughter. But if it isn't, the earlier they know, the more they can do about it.
The reason doctor's measure the head circumference is to watch for a change. The percentile of your baby's head isn't as big of a deal as a change in percentile. The head circumference should grow at a relatively steady pace. If a change is found, it could be an indicator of a much more serious problem, like fluid build-up on the brain. While your instincts tell you to wait, I wouldn't. What if there is a problem that could have been detected earlier? I'd rather get the test done and find out everything is fine than wait and find out I could've done something sooner.
Both of my children's heads were always in the 90th percentile but, since their weight and height were always in the 75th to 90th percentile range, our pediatrician wasn't concerned because he viewed it as being proportionate. I don't know if this is of any help but thought I'd share just in case.
Hope everything goes well.
I'd go with your instincts and just keep an eye on her. I'd be more worried if she weren't meeting her milestones and staying in her curve. However if anything changes I'd certainly be in there having it done. If something is wrong, I agree with everyone else and knowing either way is always the best. It empowers you to deal with it better. Do some research. Find out why the doc is worried now whereas it sounds as if before she wasn't. If you like, try getting a second opinion. MRI's are NOT cheap and unless you have awesome insurance that helps cover it you'll have a nasty bill. My youngest daughter had to have one when she was 2. She had fallen, hit her head and developed a weird bubble on the side of her head. (That was scary.) However the MRI showed she was fine and the she had no ill effects from the anesthesia they gave her for the procedure. At that instance, it was imperative she have one because we were concerned she'd cracked her skull. However, it sounds as if in your instance you have the time to do the research and make inquiries. Either way, it's a tough call. Good luck!
Hmmmm--
My mother's head is smaller than my six year old's. My head is the same size as my six year old's. Mom and I have little tiny heads--I wear kids size hats and sunglasses. My youngest has a little tiny head just like my Mom and I. I like to say that we have Japanese size brains whereas my husband and son have American size ones :-)
My opinion, if there are no other signs of concerns other than a small head then there is no reason for an MRI. MRI's are a ton of radiation for a little one--it could cause problems. But it doesn't seem to be curing any problems? I think you should listen to your instincts.
J.
Time for a second opinion - consult another physician (separate from your present doctor's practice, if she is in a group practice). If the child is healthy and hitting every milestone and is small all over, why on earth would a doctor think an MRI is necessary? Based on what you've posted, there doesn't seem to be any medical need for it, other than a chart that your daughter doesn't fit onto - no symptoms, no call for alarm. An MRI would likely be a traumatic experience for a 15 m.o., plus it is a very expensive test. Ask your doctor to explain precisely why, in plain English, she thinks such a test is necessary. She should be able to give a straightforward, clear reason. Call your insurance company and see whether they would even be willing to pay for such a thing. Also find out what your doctor has actually written in your daughter's medical report and what she has been submitting to your insurance company. If either of those records do not correspond with what you're being told verbally by this doctor, it's time to switch doctors.
