So yesterday we went in for Alliclaus' five-month weight check. Her weight is great - 13.5 pounds. She appears to have finally found her growth curve, as she's stuck to the same one for three months. This really put my mind at ease.
Then the doctor showed me her head circumference chart. I've always known that Alliclaus had a big head. When she was born it was in the 92nd percentile and at her last doctor's visit it was in the 98th. But at this visit it was off the chart. This is not the type of growth they like to see in big-headed babies, so we are off to get a CT scan. The word encephalitis was definitely used. The referral should come in today and then we'll get her in for the scan as soon as possible.
I am doing my very best not to panic. Other moms with big-headed children had mentioned it to me so at least I was prepared. My doctor was very calm about the whole thing and so I am trying to remain so as well. If you know me in real life, that is why you didn't receive an email or a call about this. I feel like that would be the thing to do if I was alarmed. But I am remaining calm, so you'll only hear about it here on the blog.
Anyone out there been through this before? All the statistics seem pretty reassuring that it isn't encephalitis, but if it is, it seems pretty traumatic.
Alright, back to work.
soooooooooo hard not to panic! I panic about lots of stuff with Lady, when it's big and scary. We don't have head measurement experience, but when Lady was 9 months we had to go in for a chest x-ray because they were concerned that her lungs didn't sound good. It turned out to be all fine. Apparently she had a nasty cold. My ped wasn't concerned, even though I was.
If your ped is reassuring and isn't concerned, then I'm sure it will all be fine. My ped always likes to point out that they really err on the side of caution with the little ones, and I'm sure that everything will be fine.
Still, hard not to be worried, no?
Posted by: Chatty cricket at August 29, 2006 12:16 PM
ok so this is a new one for me. I thought it had something to do with her growing tusks, so I am did some internet research to find out about this.
I think it is great that the doctor is taking these steps to be sure she is ok.
This must be scary but I think you are doing a good thing by not pancing (seriously I cant spell it either). There will be plenty of time to worry about other things later.
Posted by: Sarah at August 29, 2006 02:35 PM
I can understand how panicked you must be, but I'm sure you would have noticed other symptoms if something was wrong. In the meantime, I'm keeping Alliclaus in my prayers. Good luck!
Posted by: Jessie at August 29, 2006 02:52 PM
sadly i have no advice, but i hope things work out ok. best of luck and everything else to you and yours, lady.
Posted by: sweetney at August 29, 2006 04:04 PM
My youngest DD Jillian who is 14mths old has measured off the charts with her head size since she was about 5mths old. My sister calls her head shape the "helmut" shape which is suppose to be the "perfect" head shape? Our Dr was never overly concerned as she still rolled over, crawled and all those fun things pretty much when she was suppose too. I bet all will be fine.
Posted by: Jacquie at August 29, 2006 06:19 PM
It is so natural to panic when something kind of scary happens. Stay positive and everything will turn out okay. She's a strong little girl that has a loving family.
Posted by: Jenny at August 29, 2006 06:48 PM
Thinking of you, and the family. Tell andres hi, and the baby too.
Posted by: TIo Joshi at August 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Now that her body is caught up it doesn't look like her head is that big. Good luck with everything. I'm sure everything on the scan will turn out normal (except that you havea genious on your hands).
Posted by: Jeanette at August 30, 2006 06:40 AM
Oh, I wish I had something reassuring to say or something helpful, but I am so completely ignorant on that topic. All I can say is that I am sure she will be AOK and I am saying a little prayer for your little girl that this is just a worry over nothing!
Posted by: Jennifer at August 30, 2006 06:33 PM
Okay - the rule on these things is don't panic until the Doctors give you something to panic about. Let me assure you they will tell you if and when they confirm something is wrong. You're gonna be anxious and you're gonna worry 'cause you're a mother. People can tell you not to, but it's a waste of time - you're gonna worry anyways. Do pay extra attention to the baby. No one spends more time with or knows the baby better than you. Note any patterns: eating, sleeping, pooping... what she's doing like smiling, turning her head...this way you have good feedback to give the doctors. Remember you're the mom - don't let those doctors intimidate you. Make sure you understand what they're telling you about "your" baby. If you don't understand the first time around then make them explain it until you do. If your satisfied - great! If not don't be afraid to get a second opinion or do a little research on your own. Doctors are educated, but not perfect and no one is going to be a stonger advocate for you little one than you.
Posted by: Mrs Jones at August 31, 2006 01:14 PM
No Way. She is just growing differently than anyone else, which should be expected because she needs a bigger noggin to hold her bigger, bilingual brain!! It all makes perfect sense to me and I am certain that the CT will show nothing conclusive at all...
prayers are with you anyway though...
Posted by: andi at August 29, 2006 11:23 AM