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20 Weeks Scan Showed Hc Measurement - 148 Mm. Is This Associated To Microcephaly?

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Posted on Tue, 30 Oct 2012
Question: Hi, I recently had a 19 weeks scan and my hc measurement was 148 and bpd at 38mm. This was at 9-10th percentile. at 20 weeks, I had a brief scan and the hc was 149mm. This obviously is smaller. There is no genetic disorders in my family or my husband. My husband however does have a small head for his body size (but very intelligent). One doctor mentioned it could be a case of microcephaly? is it possible growth spurts happen in a baby. I need some more assurance as this scared me more.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (41 minutes later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
At 20 weeks the head measurement at 9-10th percentile is not necessarily associated with a microcephaly or any other congenital malformations.
The size of head is also genetically controlled and this mildly smaller head size could be because of his father.
The growth of the baby in the first two years is likely to bring the head size to near normal levels. Please do not worry.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (14 minutes later)
Thankyou doctor, at 19 weeks it was 9th percentile but at 20 it dropped to a head size of 18w and 3 days so drops below 3rd percentile. This dropped is what concerned me. What are your thoughts.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 hours later)
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
HC of less than 3 percentile is also not too worrisome. The child can make up for this lag in the first six months of life. Please do not worry.
You need to confirm if this is more than 2 SD below the appropriate mean. In that case it will be considered a microcephaly.
A follow up scan after two weeks will help in further clarification about the growth.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal

OBGYN

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 14039 Questions

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20 Weeks Scan Showed Hc Measurement - 148 Mm. Is This Associated To Microcephaly?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
At 20 weeks the head measurement at 9-10th percentile is not necessarily associated with a microcephaly or any other congenital malformations.
The size of head is also genetically controlled and this mildly smaller head size could be because of his father.
The growth of the baby in the first two years is likely to bring the head size to near normal levels. Please do not worry.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.