My 12 Month Old Son's Teeth and Head Circumference!

Updated on August 06, 2010
C.Y. asks from Saint Paul, MN
11 answers

Hello all Moms,
I took my son to his 12 month old check up and his doctor said his head is in the 99% tile, I am really worried now about him now, his doctor told me to monitor his head and if it shoots up higher, he might need an MRI for extra fluids on his head, what does this mean? Plus he hasn't grown any of his teeth yet? Does any moms have this problem please help??

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

don't know about the teeth thing - though I did google and saw that this is normal - some moms said their kids got their first teeth at 13 months.

My son has a HUGE head. We didn't have to do the MRI stuff for several reasons, his head is in proportion to his body - he's just freaking big and his head reflects that. Also, he met his developmental milestones so the doc wasn't very worried about fluid on the brain as that would impede my son meeting developmental milestones.

I would ask about the developmental milestones to see if he's on target before pulling out the big diagnostic guns. Good luck!

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H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

Our son now 3.5 had similar issues. If his head in growing at a steady curve and has not just shot up all of a sudden in circumference I wouldn't worry too much. Our son had two CT scans and one MRI because of his head circumference being off the charts up in the 105% starting at the 75% when born. He did not have a good curve on the charts. Anyhow after 1.5 years of worrying and a final diagnosis with an MRI he is doing just fine. He had/has fluid buildup between his scull and front of head. Of course our worry was hydrocephalus ( the buildup in the center of the brain) but all is well. They said It could be as simple as being from his traumatic birth. Anyhow after at CT then MRI and then final CT to make sure fluid is not increasing he has been marked as healthy and thriving!

So talk with your childs ped more if you need to feel better, have him explain what he is really worried about. Has his head circ. increased rapidly or is he just not use to kids with that head size. Was he born with a big head. Unless his head is growing very rapid in size I honestly wouldn't worry too much.

As far as teeth lots of kids don't get them till 13 months or more. This is not uncommon. My son got his first two at 8 months and then he didn't get anymore till 13.5 months.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Doctors will measure the head circumference to help detect a problem. I'm guessing his circumference wasn't always in the 99%ile. If there is some fluid build up or other issues, measuring the head circumference is one way a doctor can detect the problem. When a baby's circumference percentile changes drastically, it can be a sign of an issue such as swelling and extra fluid. Do as the doctor says. It may be nothing, but if there is something wrong you can catch it before it becomes worse.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

My entirely normal daughter cut her first tooth at 13 months.

I agree with Melissa – follow your doctor's guidance on the head circumference concern. It could turn out to be nothing, but if there is a fluid/pressure buildup in his head, it's best to know early, when medical intervention will be most helpful.

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K.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have been through that. My son's head circumference kept getting bigger, and finally, we did have to get an MRI to see if he had hydrocephalus. Thankfully, he did not. He just has a big head! Big heads run in the family -- more room for all our big brains, right? :o)

Hydrocephalus is very rare, and I doubt your baby has it. But get the MRI so you can rule it out and stop worrying. Hang in there.

K.K.

answers from Appleton on

Check out hydrocephalus. My son has this. His head circumference shot up and they performed a CT scan which showed he had extra CSF, cerebral spinal fluid surrounding his brain.

My son's hydrocephalus is shunted and he is not delayed in any way. Completed normal minus the occasional issue with the shunt which we are dealing with. Check out the National Hydrocephalus Association site for more information on this. Good luck, dont worry too much.

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W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

Well, my sons head was bigger from birth, but he finally caught up to it. My daughter did not get her teeth until she was almost 13 months. You could take him to a dentist and get some xrays just to see where they are if you like. They should be coming in soon though.

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T.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

Both my children had 99% heads and are totally normal. Some kids just do. My husband has a rather large head (you can't tell by looking, just when he tries on hats) - I guess they got it from him! Don't worry - I'm sure your kids are perfectly normal.

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A.H.

answers from Omaha on

My son was the same way and had the MRI. My doctor said it was just as a precaution. 99% of the time it is just because the child has a big head. Really, I was a little freaked out too, but it wasn't much to worry about at all. I am sure he will be fine!
I don't have any advice about his teeth, but know between my son and daughter they vary greatly! It seemed like my son had all of his teeth by the time he was 6 months old! My daughter sprouted 2 bottom teeth around 9 months and then the others really started to come in after her first birthday. Let your doctor know about your concerns, but I think he is going to be a-ok! Hope this helps!
A.

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H.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

My son had that MRI at pretty much the same age and it was totally fine. They did it at a Children's, the staff was out-of-this-world, the procedure was really simple, and it worked out that there was no problems, but it was nice to be reassured.

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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

is your son acting normally? i wouldnt worry; in fact i would get a second opinion from another doctor. mri's are expensive im sure, and scary, and you dont want to put your son through something unnecessarily.

what is the rest of his body size on the charts?
the thing about the charts is that they simply measure how your son is growing compared to other kids his age. it really means a whole lotta nothing because each kid grows at their own rate. so i wouldnt worry, unless your son has odd symptoms/headaches or something.

teeth come in when they are ready. i wouldnt worry about that either. the longer they are in, the stronger they will be from what i hear. :) so just have patience. things will happen in their own time. :) and get a second opinion before doing anything or worrying. :)

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