Growth Scan Abnormal Leg Length?

[Jul17]

Hi There

Just wondered if anyone has experience of this. Been for a growth scan today as fundul height measured higher than normal & midwife thought i may be having a big baby. I am 36+4 today.

Was advised today that head & stomach measured fine but limb length was a good bit shorter (think the screen said 28+5). Have to go back on Wednesday for consultant to scan me again, but in meantime I am a bit panicked to say the least. Appreciate any comments!

Thanks!

I have no advice but bumping for you. Growth scans are always hard to get right - I thought I was having a monster baby last time and he was a 7lb-er.
I am sure someone will come along with the right advice/experience for you

short femurs can be a marker for various things - however they can also be just little legs - nowt more. And the growth scans have error margin of 25% so could just be that legs are in awkward position and difficult to measure. And then not v accurately measured

Please try not to panic and hold out till wednesday. Imagine you will be seeing a fetal med consultant who will look closely at leg measurements and also to see if there are any other markers

Also be reasurred that head / stomach measurements are fine. This would suggest that if the slim chance that there were any growth issues, it would be far less serious than if the other measurements (partic head) were small also

wishing you all the best

Thanks very much for your replies. I already had negative amniocentesis in 2nd trimester so hopefully all ok for chromosomal probs. Just need to hope that it's just a shorta*se!! My husband is only 5'6" (i'm the same) & my mil is 5', with one sil at under 5', so fingers crossed!

J xx

I think the issue here is that the long bones are significantly shorter than the gestational age, while the trunk and head are measuring just where they should be (ie the disproportion between them). Was the increased fundal hight caused by "too much" fluid around the baby? This can also be a marker for a various conditions.

Maybe there have been errors with measurement - did you have a 20 week scan, and did the limbs measure correct for dates at that time?

While not wanting to panic you I am wondering about specific problems such as acondroplasia sorry, spelling? (dwarfism), as I don't think that would show on amnio - but I'm almost certain that the limb shortening caused by this condition would have been obvious at the 20 week scan.

Not everyone is the same, but if it was me, I'd want to read up on the possible causes of shortening of the limbs, just to prepare and gather my thoughts.

I truly hope everything is fine, and that your appointment tomorrow confirms this.