Help - Big head in 7 month old, what to do?

[Hen1980]

Hi,

First post -so go easy on me!

Our DD has a big head, she was born 35+1 with a weight on 91st centile and and her head between 91-98 centile. Her head growth has outpaced her body, and at 7 months her weight is 75-91st centile (seems a bit vague) and her head is over the 99.9 centile.

She's been referred to a specialist who performed an ultrasound and said it's "suggestive of prominent third ventricle and cisterna. These were limited images. Bilateral ventricles were middle prominent." She's noted normal exam and eye movements, and seemly no development concerns.

We've been referred for an MRI - at some point (still awaiting a date) and then a follow up in July. As our first little one, we are of course massively worried, and really concerned we should be doing something, and sooner - 3 months seems so long to wait when you're only 7 months old!

I've been trying not to read too much stuff online, but would welcome insight for anyone who might have been here. Part of me thinks they can't be that worried if they are not rushing it through, but then having had a bad experience in the past with a slow moving NHS, makes me worry if we leave it - could it get worse - should we be doing something now? Are we going to regret it in the future if we don't make a fuss/get MRI done sooner, etc.?

We both have reasonably big heads, so hoping it's just a family trait, but just really worrying!

Thanks

My ds has similar stats, but he's 4.5yo now. I just buy hats for much older age range. I've never worried about it. Just laughed about it. Dh has big head too. On holiday he can never buy a sun hat to fit him. Mil is same.

If you're being offered scan then go for them but don't worry.

That must be very worrying for you - fingers crossed it is just that she has a big head and nothing serious.

FWIW the Health visitor told me DS had a big head at his 8 month check. He is now 14 and his body has grown to fit it. Meanwhile DD(15) has still got a head the size of your average 6yo. It's only a problem when she has to wear a little girl - style helmet when skiing

we had this for best part of a year til consultant measured me and dp, consulted the charts and cheerfully announced we are just a big headed family before discharging ds.

DS2 does have hydrocephalus which may be one of the things you're worrying about.

This was caused by bleeds on the brain when he was born at 30 weeks. It took until he was 5 months old for it all to become clear that that's what it was and he was monitored very closely.

If they are not in a rush to do an MRI, I would be reassured that it's because they don't think there's a reason to rush.

Normal eye movement struck me as very positive as DS2 had what they call 'sunsetting eyes' where the white was visible above the irises because of swelling.

DS2's head was measured every week from birth to 5 months and in that time it went from large to way off the charts.