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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Premature Delivery, Complications During Pregnancy, Child Has Large Tongue, Difficulty Breast Feeding. Cure?

My granddaughter was born about two weeks early. Difficult birth in birth canal a little too long. She has large tongue , takes very long time to take 4 ounces. Birth weight 6.10. Currently at 9 weeks 10 lbs. very active, smiles and laughs. Tongue protrudes most of time. Pediatrician says she is normal. Giving cereal and she can eat well from spoon.
Thu, 4 Oct 2012
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Pediatrician, Neonatology 's  Response
Hi,
big tongue/protruding tongue happens in a few conditions like hypothyroidism,
beckwith syndrome,etc where there are some other associated signs and symptoms.Of these hypothyroidism is something that can be diagnosed by a blood test and treated.(in some countries this is done as a screening test at birth on t he 4th day.)please check whether it was done for your child.why cereal so early at 9 weeks?milk also can be given with spoon carefully if there is feeding problem.take care
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OBGYN Dr. Dr. Asra Ishtiaq Ahmed's  Response
Hello there,

A preterm baby is not free from complications. Especially if there has been prolonged labour or difficult extraction of the baby. But is nice to know that your baby is otherwise doing fine.

The weight gain seems alright too. As your Pediatrician as ruled out any problem with your baby, it is unlikely there is an abnormality in the tongue .

Do remember that a protruding tongue is seen in congenital hypothyroidism and needs to be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. But since your baby is otherwise active, the Pediatrician must not have felt so. Cereal feeds are given as weaning foods and not recommended at this age.

Encourage exclusive breast feeding for your baby for the first 6 months

Take care.
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Premature Delivery, Complications During Pregnancy, Child Has Large Tongue, Difficulty Breast Feeding. Cure?

Hi, big tongue/protruding tongue happens in a few conditions like hypothyroidism, beckwith syndrome,etc where there are some other associated signs and symptoms.Of these hypothyroidism is something that can be diagnosed by a blood test and treated.(in some countries this is done as a screening test at birth on t he 4th day.)please check whether it was done for your child.why cereal so early at 9 weeks?milk also can be given with spoon carefully if there is feeding problem.take care