Short long bones?

Question

Had a growth scan last week and was told baby girls long bones were all short. Head was in the 97th percentile arms were 5 percentile and legs in 7. I’m so worried. I’ll love her either way obviously but has anyone ever had this happen? What was the outcome they told me we wouldn’t know for sure until I gave birth🙁
Update: I freaked out for nothing 🤪 she’s perfect

Answer

Hello. I wanted to share my story in hopes it will help or provide comfort for anyone that was in the same situation that I was in with my son. At 20 weeks I found out my son’s long bones were measuring very small, less than 5%. My doctor asked that I come back in 3 weeks to remeasure and see how his growth progressed. It didn’t. Over the next 17 weeks, I would come back for NST (non-stress tests/fetal monitoring) 2x a week, doppler screening every week, and measurement ultrasounds every 3 weeks. Every measurement reading I would pray for some boost in growth praying my son would have a growth spurt and begin to catch up. He didn’t. In fact he slowly started to fall more behind and his long bones fell below 1%. The Dr started talking to us about Skeletal Dysplasia and baby boy possibly having some form of dwarfism. They talked about possibly IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and there might be an issue with my placenta not giving the baby enough nutrients to help him grow. The Dr also talked about it not being anything at all and he could be just a small babe. Regardless, they kept me and baby on close watch to see how we progressed. There was an option for genetic testing with an amniocentesis though there were risks of an miscarriage so we didn’t do it. We were told there is no way of knowing what exactly is going on until baby is delivered and they can properly diagnose once he is out. These were possibly the hardest 17 weeks of my life. It was an emotional rollercoaster each week hoping to find out something, ANYTHING, causing his small measurements. I upped my protein and calcium. Took low dose aspirin, suggested by my OB to help with blood flow to thru the placenta. Nothing seemed to be helping. My Doppler’s were normal, my NSTs were great. His abdominal circumstance started to fall behind below 5%  but jumped back to normal by 36 weeks. Everything else stayed on track my entire pregnancy. The long bones were over 6 weeks behind by 37 weeks. During ultrasounds my Dr looked for physical characteristics of skeletal dysplasia like frontal bossing of forehead, trident hand, clubbed foot et. Nothing. Everything looked good. He would eventually rule out signs of lethal skeletal dysplasia as well. By 36 weeks by blood pressure started to rise that my drs started to monitor for preeclampsia. By 37 weeks I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and induced. Delivery was quick and smooth. He was born 5 lbs 12 oz, 18.5 inches. He was checked by 3 separate pediatricians who all three ruled out SK. He was completely proportional just a little small all around (average for 37 weeks). They decided to double check his long bones with an X-ray. He was fine. Everything looked great. They sent my placenta off to the lab to have specialists check to see if there was an issue to suggest IUGR. The results came back negative. Everything was fine. They don’t know why exactly his bones were measuring  the way they were. Error with ultrasound technology, maybe. My doctors were stumped. He is now almost 2 months old. He is growing and thriving! After all the worry, stress, tears, sleepless nights during my pregnancy, he was fine. This journey sucked all the fun out of my pregnancy and I was a scared nervous wreck the entire 37 weeks. It was awful and I am still trying to wrap my head around what happened. I want answers and will probably just have to settle knowing my prayers were heard.  
For all the mamas going thru a similar journey, I feel your pain. I’m not saying all outcomes will be like mine but try to keep positive. I remember holding onto stories just like this when I was “researching” at 2am looking up every pregnancy forum out there trying to find some sort of comfort. Hope this helps. Xx

Answer

It could be a form of dwarfism

Answer

Do you have any update on this?

Answer

No worries mama. Our girl’s femurs are measuring short. They are just expecting her to be a shorter baby, smaller baby. My husband’s mom is like 4’11 and his sister is 5’0. More than likely just a small baby!

Answer

she might just have a oversized noggin. Until the MFM confirms something else dont stress about it.

Answer

I had a growth scan where the head was on 85th percentile & legs on 9th percentile.
We got referred to fetal specialist medicine. 
Their verdict was he has a big head with short legs, nothing else to it. 
I visited the specialist once and they discharged me the same day I seen them

Answer

Shes a shortie with a big head ❤

Short long bones?

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