No so good 9 month appt. Worried :-(

Jule'sMomInOR · #1 May 3rd, 2011, 05:08 PM

Juliana weights 22 lb, 6.8 oz (95th percentile) and is 29.25" long (95th percentile). One area of concern was her head circumference. It was in the 75th percentile and now it's off the charts. We're going to measure again at 12 months and if it hasn't gone down, she'll need a CAT scan.

We had to fill out a questionnaire and she aced all parts except "Communication". She only scored 15. The cut-off for the area of concern was 14.xx, so the doctor didn't want to worry about it. I told her that was dumb; you can only score 10 or 15 because you get 5 or 10 points for each. Then I brought up how she used to say "goo" and "gee" at 4-5 months but doesn't anymore, so she went ahead and referred her to Early Intervention. It was too late in the day to make my appointment today. I want to get this appointment in ASAP because I can't help but worry. The head thing is probably no big deal but I wonder if there could be something going on and the two are related. I asked about autism and the doc said since she's very social, that is unlikely.

On the bright side, she said the top two teeth should be through any day now. That's amazing, because we had a terrible time for about 2 months before the bottom 2 came through.

TarrahLovesHuLo · #2 May 3rd, 2011, 05:24 PM

It sounds like mostly good news. Honestly, her gorgeous little head doesn't look abnormally sized at all, but the measurements ar there for a reason I suppose. I'll keep her in my T&Ps that all works out well. KUP Mama, and try not to worry until you have reason too. I've learned that in my own experience with my DD and her heart condition.

Hollybear · #3 May 3rd, 2011, 05:30 PM

((Mariah)) Sending P&PT your way.

Did the pedi say what you should worry about if her head grows too fast? I have never even heard about this

Jule'sMomInOR · #4 May 3rd, 2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollybear

((Mariah)) Sending P&PT your way.

Did the pedi say what you should worry about if her head grows too fast? I have never even heard about this

No, I guess I should have asked. I'm guessing some kind of brain tumor.

#5 May 3rd, 2011, 05:34 PM

Yay for the good part! Boo for the dr making you worry. Her head looks completely normal in your siggy picture. I hope its nothing. Keep us posted.

AndiNW · #6 May 3rd, 2011, 05:35 PM

Sorry about the appointment. For what it's worth her head looks proportional in your siggie picture. Hopefully things will be better at your 12 month appointment.

As for communication, I would try not to worry (I know easy for me to say). I was the same with DD. She didn't call me "mama" or much of anything until 18 months. It was difficult for me because her cousin is 3.5 months older was talking a lot at about 15 months. But on the other hand, DD walked at 10 months whereas my niece didn't walk until 16 months. Some say babies concentrate on one type of skill at a time; physical or verbal. I suppose it's possible. The most important thing is that you are being proactive and getting things checked out. I hope things turn out okay.

Karlie · #7 May 3rd, 2011, 05:38 PM

Hmm. About the head thing - how much off the charts is it?? Our childhealth nurse said that as long as there's not a gap off more than two lines between height and weight it's ok. So I'm thinking, that Julia is a really big, tall baby a head that's 'off the charts' isn't that much of a worry if you know what I mean as long as she's in propotion? I mean, it would be a worry if a kid who was in the 50th percentile had a head circumferance that's off the charts but Julia's height and weight are right up there too?? That's just my thought, I would try not to worry too much about it, but it's good that your pedi wants to keep an eye on it anyway. Luca wasn't babbling at all at his 8 month appointment and the nurse wasn't concerned, she just said to keep talking to him and making sounds at him. She said his 12month appointment is optional if not she'll see us at 18months. I'm sure Julianna is fine in that area too, and I'm sure EI will put your mind at ease.

Jule'sMomInOR · #8 May 3rd, 2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlie

Hmm. About the head thing - how much off the charts is it?? Our childhealth nurse said that as long as there's not a gap off more than two lines between height and weight it's ok.

I wish I would have gotten the number. It did look pretty far off of the chart from the graph. I know this isn't saying much.

I just googled and it looks like autism can be a cause for the head growing too fast. My husband and I are both the type of geeky/mathy people that together could produce autistic offspring.

cbnurse04 · #9 May 3rd, 2011, 05:44 PM

I don't know if this will put your mind at ease or not, but my older son had a head circumference that measured off the charts. He was off the charts at 6 months. We had to go see a specialist, who told me he was fine. The specialist said that as long as he was developing as he should and not showing delays, he didn't need a cat scan or any other intervention. He's a normal 3 year old now... with a big head...

Jule'sMomInOR · #10 May 3rd, 2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbnurse04

I don't know if this will put your mind at ease or not, but my older son had a head circumference that measured off the charts. He was off the charts at 6 months. We had to go see a specialist, who told me he was fine. The specialist said that as long as he was developing as he should and not showing delays, he didn't need a cat scan or any other intervention. He's a normal 3 year old now... with a big head...

Thanks. I wouldn't be worried if it were JUST the head thing, but she is also delayed in communication. And both of these things potentially could be signs of autism. Add that to the fact that my DH and I are both engineers and yeah, I'm a little worried.

#11 May 3rd, 2011, 06:13 PM

I forgot to add my oldest didnt even say "mama" until after 1, and wasnt really talking until 1 1/2. She went though "First Steps" here, which is an early intervention program and she was fine. Some kids just talk late.

I've never heard anything about extremely smart parents have children with autism. Is that something you were told or read? Or an old wives tale?

Jule'sMomInOR · #12 May 3rd, 2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiX2Momma

I've never heard anything about extremely smart parents have children with autism. Is that something you were told or read? Or an old wives tale?

It's not really having extremely smart parents, it's more having parents that are in math-related professions. But yeah, there's research on it. Autism is more common in Silicon Valley because so many geeks live there.

Lilly Bella · #13 May 3rd, 2011, 06:45 PM

i want to say she is fine ♥ but i am not a certified dr or anything. just a girl with an uncompleted special education degree and a sister with down syndrome. speech and language development isn't a huge concern at this age. the more physical milestones should be more prominent. i agree she looks proportionate in your sig and by the percentiles, i would expect her to have a big head

makenna used to say mama, clear as day and reach for me. she doesn't do that anymore. she also used to say dada but doesn't do that really either. she does jabber other things that seem completely random. i know she is perfectly fine. riley did not talk really well until he went to preschool. seriously the kid said 4 or 5 words. once he was around other kids his age, his speech skyrocketed! and then NO ONE could understand him but me and I was 10000000% he'd need speech therapy. well, here he is at barely 7 years old and in first grade and he speaks PERFECTLY and pronounces everything to a T and is smart as can be with no issues whatsoever

and me and his dad are both mathematically inclined! it absolutely does not hurt to get intervention as early as possible but my gut feeling is that she's fine!

faith143 · #14 May 3rd, 2011, 06:57 PM

Thinking about you!! I hope you're able to get some answers and relief asap!!

What type of communication delay is she experiencing?

My Lily's head has always been big and just yesterday it measured in 95th%. Even when she was itty bitty--jaundiced and her weight was 2% etc, her head was big.

xoxox

SarahBethsMommy · #15 May 3rd, 2011, 07:18 PM

I know that saying don't worry is jut stupid because of course you will worry, but I'm sure she will be fine. I'm glad you are proactive though. Too many parents are very lackadaisical when it comes to development and it really won't hurt a thing in the world to get EI to evaluate and possibly even help you out.

I can say that with my autistic son, I could see signs very early in that he would absolutely NOT make eye contact or respond to me in any way. He also didn't let me know that he needed anything... never cried. So with her being so social, I really wouldn't worry about that right now.

dinamommy · #16 May 3rd, 2011, 07:46 PM

:-( Sorry you had a worrisome appointment. I pray that it turns out to be nothing, but if it is something, I'm confident in saying that you're an exceptional Mama and will be able to manage what comes your way.

madelynsmomma · #17 May 3rd, 2011, 08:22 PM

I agree that she looks proportional in your siggy picture. It makes sense that her head would be off the chart, because her height and weight are so close to the top of the chart. I think its totally normal for the head to measure as the biggest percentile of the three. But like the others said, EI will do nothing but help, even if their is a problem. And if not, you will still learn neat things from them.

As for the autism, try and let it go until you talk to EI. I actually have to take Olivia to be evaluated for a trial study on Thursday, which is dealing with early infant autism. She does have a big head(but so does my older DD) and she does lack correct communication, but there is so much more. The one huge thing Olivia lacks is social/personal skills. This is definately the area that concerns everyone and raises the huge red flags. Since Juliana is social, I think you can worry less. I know I just wrote a huge paragraph about my own situation, but I was hoping that you could see what they notice in a baby the same age as Juliana that makes our doctors concerned, and hopefully that would ease your mind.

No matter what, I'll be keeping your family in my prayers.

Jule'sMomInOR · #18 May 3rd, 2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faith143

What type of communication delay is she experiencing?

She doesn't babble at all. Not even one syllable "words" beginning with a consonant (expect she kind of makes an "h" sound when she's excited).

Quote:

Originally Posted by madelynsmomma

As for the autism, try and let it go until you talk to EI. I actually have to take Olivia to be evaluated for a trial study on Thursday, which is dealing with early infant autism. She does have a big head(but so does my older DD) and she does lack correct communication, but there is so much more. The one huge thing Olivia lacks is social/personal skills. This is definately the area that concerns everyone and raises the huge red flags. Since Juliana is social, I think you can worry less. I know I just wrote a huge paragraph about my own situation, but I was hoping that you could see what they notice in a baby the same age as Juliana that makes our doctors concerned, and hopefully that would ease your mind.

No matter what, I'll be keeping your family in my prayers.

Thanks for that. It does make me feel better. I'll be thinking of you and Olivia also!

Daffodil · #19 May 3rd, 2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiX2Momma

I've never heard anything about extremely smart parents have children with autism. Is that something you were told or read? Or an old wives tale?

Yeah, we learned in pharmacy school that usually the more intelligent, higher educated the parents, the more likely the child will have autism vs. "average" parents. I'm not sure if there is a direct corelation or if parents who fit that bill are more likely to get a correct diagnosis.

BUT like everyone else said, Juliana looks perfectly propotioned...she's just a big chunky girl, like my niece. I mean, her height and weight are very high, aren't they? I think they just want to err on the side of caution and make sure nothing is wrong vs. thinking something is actually wrong.

starrsgirl · #20 May 3rd, 2011, 09:36 PM

I have also looked at some of the autism studies, but many of the ones I've read are highly correlated to intelligent parents who have children later in life and often use fertility interventions. So, it's very hard to separate any of those variables. (highly educated/older eggs & sperm/fertility drugs). I personally think the latter two might be more of a factor...but that's just an opinion.

Anyway, definitely thinking of you guys! Kudos for being proactive.

(Also, if it makes you feel better, Emmett doesn't really say a dang thing either and he is almost a full month older. That's why I freaked out about hearing issues a few months ago....but he was just fine.)