Worried about my little nephew's head circumference

[WiseElza]

Dear Mumsnet community,

I am new here but have been actively reading childcare threads since the birth of my dear nephew this year.

He was born three weeks premature through an emergency C-section due to oxygen deficiency in the womb.

He is now almost 7 months old, but has difficulty with head control and is not sitting up yet. At today's checkup with his neurologist, they measured his head at 41cm which, at his age put him at 1 percentile on the chart. He had trouble gaining weight but now he weighs a normal 8 kgs.

I am worried sick about his head circumference, especially because the doctor said his fontanelle gas closed.

I was wondering if you have had a similar case and what would you suggest?

Thank you

Sorry I can’t answer about his head circumference but has he been referred to a physio / ot for exercises and equipment that may help him gain strength?

Ps the more tummy time he has the better as this strengthens all those muscles.

Thank you for responding! He's just completed a course of physiotherapy and had had significant improvements with his head control. He's also gotten better with grabbing toys. He's taking a few days of break before another set of physiotherapy sessions.
In general, he smiles at us and makes funny noises when we talk to him.

I have done some reading about microcephaly, and considering the lack of oxygen in the womb, I got very worried.

Thanks again!

Did you adjust for being prem on the charts?
Someone has to be the 1st percentile so I wouldn’t worry about that. What did the Dr say?

46ilovepuggies, thank you! He absolutely detests tummy time and truth to be told, he hasn't gotten much of it before he started the physiotherapy. I will now make sure he gets lots of tummy time.

The key thing is, he's had medical attention. It's not like no one has noticed.

@Itisbetter yes, I have adjusted his age, he is still at 1 percentile on the online chart. The doctor basically said "we'll have to wait and see, nothing much can be done right now" which was very frustrating to hear.

Being carried in an ergonomic sling or baby carrier is as good as tummy time and often more enjoyable!

@picklemewalnuts true :) We are going to get an appointment with a pediatrician for an assessment. I have been worried we might have a case of craniosynostosis since his head is quite flat at the back. But it might also be me just googling things and making myself worried.

I am hoping that our little boy will catch up and grow a healthy and happy child.

@Isadora2007 thank you! We will give it a try :)

@WiseElza Sorry, is this your nephew or your son? You sound a little over involved if nephew?

@Grobagsforever he's my nephew, the first child in the family, so we are all a little too inexperienced and a bit too involved, certainly.

I love him to pieces and want to make sure we are not missing anything :)

Op get him assessed by paediatrician and ask fior mri brain scan
with his history he nay have long term issues
. With motor skills or more.
But he can still be happy and healthy.
You will continue to love and enjoy him.
Get therapy in place.
Ask about supportive seating.
Teach him baby signs.
If he canmot move around then move him to experience different sights in the room.

Ask the physio a bout best carrier for him

@WiseElza I'm sure your sibling appreciates your support, but he's in the medical system. Spending time on Dr Google and making yourself anxious isn't good for you. One in every 100 babies will be on the first percentile, it doesn't mean there is an issue. Trust the doctors and try not to stress.

@Embracelife thank you! We will definitely continue loving and caring for him. I have thought about an MRI, but I wasn't sure ar what age it can be done. They have done encephalogram and ecography, but doctors have not suggested an MRI yet. Will ask my sister to bring this up at their next appointment. Thank you!

You need to take a step back and let his parents handle this. You are far too involved. I understand that he's cute and tiny and has battled to get where he is but you risk unintentionally pushing yourself out.

Be there are the fun auntie but stay away from dr Google. The medical staff are aware of him and will ensure he gets good care. Your job is to make his life fun.

You need to take a step back and let his parents handle this. You are far too involved. I understand that he's cute and tiny and has battled to get where he is but you risk unintentionally pushing yourself out.

Be there are the fun auntie but stay away from dr Google. The medical staff are aware of him and will ensure he gets good care. Your job is to make his life fun.

@Grobagsforever I agree with you. Most days I manage to stay away from Google, but today was not that day, unfortunately. I will definitely try to relax and follow doctors' suggestions.

@BryanAdamsLeftAnkle

You need to take a step back and let his parents handle this. You are far too involved. I understand that he's cute and tiny and has battled to get where he is but you risk unintentionally pushing yourself out.

Be there are the fun auntie but stay away from dr Google. The medical staff are aware of him and will ensure he gets good care. Your job is to make his life fun.

This. You sound way too over involved and probably suffocating his parents if you air this to them.

What do the child’s mum and dad think? Are they as worried as you?

3 weeks early isn’t particularly prem. How do they know about the “lack of oxygen” in the womb?

Mine was born just over 2 weeks early. The placenta had deteriorated so she went into distress. She was a small baby, but caught up. Paeds did bloods, couple of appts to check growth.

Why do you want an mri? What will it tell you?

And mri involves a general anesthetic. It won’t be done unless there’s good reason.

I have a child with a significant health condition and one thing I realised a couple of years after the initial tests and things, is that paediatricians often only need a quick glance over a child to tell if something is amiss. If the doctors not worried, you don't need to be worried.

@BryanAdamsLeftAnkle I agree. I am conscious about my over-involvement and worrying, and trying to dial it down. Asking for suggestions here instead of continuous googling is part of this attempt. So far I have received helpful and thoughtful suggestions for which I am grateful. Thank you :)

Also, what centile is he following for weight and height? If low centiles for those also you're really worrying about nothing.