Femur Length at 28 weeks

[Pla88]

Hi everyone. Myself and my husband have been going for repeat scans since 20 weeks due to femur length being under 5th centile. Today it measured 39mm and although there has been steady growth. The consultant started touching on dwarfism and other potentially fatal illnesses. Has anyone had similar measurements and went on to have a healthy baby with no issues? I am hoping it's just a slow developer. We are in total panic after today

Yep DD2 had off the chart femur length at my 20 week scan. I had another growth scan at 26 and 34 weeks and she was growing, she ended up sitting around the 2nd centile.

She is 4 now and does have very short legs but it's not due to any genetic issues and she doesn't look abnormal. We think she will just take after both of her nannies who barely scrape 5ft. She is the shortest in her class by far but perfectly proportioned.

Thank you for that I am glad to hear so. All our other appointments we have came out feeling totally positive however today they covered all based and it's hit us like a train. We now feel it's a stick on for dwarfism after today (nothing at all wrong with that) you just want everything to he perfect and we are really struggling now

Have the other measurements beenn normal ? Our consultant reassured us a bit as arm length and head circumference were in the normal ranges and those would generally be smaller as well in most cases of dwarfism. There were other characteristics as well I can't remember them all, but we were reassured that the majority of short femurs were inaccurate scanning due to leg position or just basic short stature. Also 2nd centile is still normal just the lower end of average.

Could you try private 3D scanning for a more comprehensive look at measurements overall?

Thanks again for the response. All things to do with the legs are just below or on 5th centile. Femurs are at 39mm which are off the chart and weren't able to give a centile. We have a 4d booked for Sunday or ironically. We are still no further forward whether things are edging towards ok with continued growth or whether the scaremongering we were given today is an actual reality. The consultants response was she doesn't know as it's still to early but the femur length is a concern. Everything else above the legs are apparently normal. Thanks again

Urgh! Bloody femur length measurements have been the bane of our life . Our little one has been below 5th percentile since 20 week scan and has continued that way. They have always been two weeks behind everything else until 34 week scan where they had fallen 4 weeks behind. Her humerus are also below 5th. We had amnio (she also has a cleft so didn't have it because of just femur) which came back clear and dwarfism was never mentioned to us. I found out they didn't even check for it which now looking at indicators of short arms and legs makes me fairly angry.
If it's just femur in isolation, I really wouldn't worry too much. They may just keep giving you growth scans? Ours has a head just below the 50th percentile and abdo just below 75, so she may just be chubby with short legs like her dad! How tall are you and OH?

They are not forthcoming whatsoever. I am 5"6 and he is 5"9, not exactly tall but not overly short. They have mentioned repeat scans to check for consistent growth. Although the growth is under average up until today they said it was a good sign. The consultant today stated that it's significantly slower growth than normal and it could potentially stop and if it does it means this that and the next thing. I asked if it's the case it could just be a slow grower with no implications and again got an indirect response!

Glad to hear everything is looking ok for you, how long until you give birth?

Completely empathise with that. I think that's the most infuriating part. Drives me mad that they won't give a direct response. They wouldn't scan me after 34 weeks (currently 38) as they thought scans upset me. Well obviously?!
She followed growth curve all way up until the 34 week scan (femur and humerus always about 2weeks behind) where it fell behind by another 1.5 weeks. No idea what it's like now as they won't scan and they keep saying they can't see the signs of a dysplasia and they think it will be ok... I'm 5ft 3 and hubby is 5ft 6, so we aren't the tallest either.

I've no idea how many weeks behind 39mm is but apparently it's way under. I wish you all the best and please keep me informed. I really hope as we suspect, that it is scaremongering and the doctors covering there bases. I thought pregnancy was meant to be enjoyable?

I know!! Feel free to pm me and let me know how everything is going. Hopefully I get to meet ours soon and I can let you know how it all goes. At least your docs are being vigilant and considering the bases. Much better that than the other side of the spectrum. Stay positive

Thank you very much. My gut feeling is scaremongering. Today they said its unlikely it's anything life threatening but the femur length indicates it isn't normal. State the obvious!

Hi, I had a lot of uncertainty during my pregnancy as well. My son was born with dwarfism, he is eight now and lovely fingers crossed for you that it turns out to be nothing, but if you ever want to talk feel free to pm me

That's great news thanks for that glad he is well

Ours had little tiny femurs at week 15 and everything else normal or above. At 20 weeks femurs normal and everything else normal.

Hi everyone. Went for a 4d yday and femurs measured 4.5mm longer which is slightly better however still under. Met the hospital consultant today and she said that it may be the 4d machinery being generous. They have said they don't think it's fatal achondroplasia but still reckon it is achondroplasia. I asked whether it could catch up once born as people grow at all shapes and sizes and she said no. Totally bizarre but there you have it. It just always seems so negative!

Can they test you and DH for the gene to check if its Fatal?

When's your next scan? Really feel for you both. I hope everything turns out ok

Thanks.They reckon it's not fetal thankfully but they seem more inclined to focus on negatives that potential positives. It's frustrating and comes across as scaremongering.

Next scan is 1 week on Wednesday at hospital however a 4d is booked for Friday. I don't understand how the 4D measured 4.5mm longer than nhs hospital either and how the hospital discount that.

I know what you mean, we felt it was scaremongering as well but with hindsight I think it's because it's notoriously difficult to make clear predictions in these cases. There are so many different types of dwarfism with different outcomes, I think doctors want to cover themselves so that later they are not accused of not having warned you what may lie ahead.

Yes absolutely. Your correct. There is just no transparency at all, it is driving me insane!

Hi was just wondering whether anyone has heard from stargirl7?

Hi Pla88, could you please post an update on your baby?? I'm going through exactly the same situation and I've been stressed to my limits??

Hi
Just had my 32 weeks scan and Femur length is 59.3cm
Is it ok???