small for dates babies

[lorre]

My Ds was born at 41 weeks weighing 5lbs 3oz despite a previous growth scan predicting a birth weight of between 6 and 7lbs. The GP has referred him to a paediatrician as he considers this birth weight to be 'abnormal'. He has continually gained weight since birth, never refuses feeds, seems alert and neither myself or my DH are big people (I was about 7.5 stone before I conceived). Just wondered if anyone out there has a similar experience and what the outcome was ? Getting a bit worried about the paed appointment as the gp mentioned cystic fibrosis. Sorry this is a bit long !

Hi lorre,
Experienced similar with my DS. Born at nearly 38 weeks at 4lb 14oz. His smallness was detected at 34 weeks though and the consultant diagnosed IUGR (inuterine growth restriction). I was monitored closely for nearly 4 weeks and the consultant decided DS must be born at 38 weeks as the growth had almost stopped. Pretty worrying at the time as we didn't know why DS has stopped growing.

Since birth, DS put on weight well and caught up. Sounds like the GP is a bit OTT to me as your DS sounds like he's doing well. The hospital wouldn't have discharged you and DS if they were worried (would they?). Do you know why your DS was small. The problem was with the placenta in our case but I think there are several reasons for IUGR. Good luck. How old is he now?

wouldnt worry my dd was 5 1/2 lbs at 41 weeks was referred to hospital when pregnant as midwife concerned i was small for dates but dr wasnt worried i was a small baby and so was her dad so she was never going to be huge was always petite despite feeding well and never stops eating at 18 months she was eating more than her 7 year old cousin she is now 2 and after a massive growth spurt has caught up size wise with all the other children

Hi bakeacake
DS's smallness was also detected at 34 weeks but consultant said all was ok and that I had a neat bump and baby would be between 6 and 7 lbs at birth. Think you are right about the hospital, gp brought up his smallness at the 8 week check and referred him then. He is now 17 weeks and the appointment is next week - I guess if it was urgent they would have given him an appt sooner. Just get worried as his size is brought up each time I visit the hv's, although he is now almost 12lbs !

Thanks for the messages - feel a bit better now ! I have mentioned on numerous occasions that neither myself or my DH are big or tall but the gp and hv's have always still questioned his weight/size.

My DS1 was 4lb 9oz when induced at 37 wks, always been small, fit as a fiddle, now 13, still smallest in class, brainy, size 7 1/2 feet, eats like a horse! Didn't stop me worrying about it for years tho'!

dd was an IUGR baby too - 4 lbs 9 oz at 37 weeks. As long as she continued to gain weight (which she did) no one had any issues with that. She is now, at 13 months, between 9 and 25th centiles so still on the small side (although nothing compared to the below 0.4 centile at birth) but again dh and I are teeny people so not much hope for her !!

It DOES sound like an over-zealous doctor but (looking on the bright side) you'll be referred, see paed and then know its just genetics ! Good luck.

I agree Hazellnut, ds was 5lb7oz at 39 weeks, found to be small for dates at 29 weeks (I had scans because I stopped feeling him move for a day, luckily he was just wedged behind his plancenta!).
Was classed as a 'transitional care baby', too small to be a normal birth weight (2.5kg or over) but not small enough for SCBU.
Always been on small side for weight - now around 9th to 25th centile.
They never said why he was so small, they estimated 61/2 lb whilst I was pg.