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Suggest Treatment To Improve Brain Growth
Question: My son is 3 months and 5 days old. His height is 60 cms. His head circumference is 38 cm. I dont have his previous measurements plotted. However the last ninth month sonography done one day before delivery, HC was 32.59 cm. My worry is 1) does he growing properly 2) does he need to be consulted to pediatric neurologists 3) does it mean that people who have high HC means they have big and better brain and hence such people develop better intelligence 4) what shuld I do to improve my sons brain growth. Further to this, he seems to be o.k. as of now as far as his development milestones are concerned.
Brief Answer:
Lower than normal head circumference
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I have read your query. I used the following links as reference to make my conclusions:
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/second_set/chts_hcfa_boys_p/en/
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/second_set/cht_hcfa_boys_p_0_13.pdf?ua=1
According to the charts above, the head circumference is below normal range now (in medical terms called as microcephaly). While before birth his head circumference was normal. His height is near the 50th percentile. You have not mentioned his weight. I hope the head circumference is being measured correctly.
As far as growth is concerned, it is decided upon the weight and height measurements.
A child's brain development is assessed by checking his development for age. For example development of social smile etc.
IQ of a person doesnot depend on his head size. But some research shows association of microcephaly with development disabilities.
I cannot assess online whether his brain is developing well in accordance with his age.
Yes please consult a neurologist, preferably a pediatric neurologist.
To improve brain development, doctor may prescribe some vitamins, and some techniques, etc. I would not advise any drastic measures like taking omega 3,6,9 to do the same. If the cause for microcephaly is found, then it may also be helpful in treating the condition.
Hope it helps
Dr Vaishalee
Lower than normal head circumference
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I have read your query. I used the following links as reference to make my conclusions:
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/second_set/chts_hcfa_boys_p/en/
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/second_set/cht_hcfa_boys_p_0_13.pdf?ua=1
According to the charts above, the head circumference is below normal range now (in medical terms called as microcephaly). While before birth his head circumference was normal. His height is near the 50th percentile. You have not mentioned his weight. I hope the head circumference is being measured correctly.
As far as growth is concerned, it is decided upon the weight and height measurements.
A child's brain development is assessed by checking his development for age. For example development of social smile etc.
IQ of a person doesnot depend on his head size. But some research shows association of microcephaly with development disabilities.
I cannot assess online whether his brain is developing well in accordance with his age.
Yes please consult a neurologist, preferably a pediatric neurologist.
To improve brain development, doctor may prescribe some vitamins, and some techniques, etc. I would not advise any drastic measures like taking omega 3,6,9 to do the same. If the cause for microcephaly is found, then it may also be helpful in treating the condition.
Hope it helps
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
His weight is 5 kgs
Brief Answer:
Weight is below normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
His weight is below normal for his age. He is failing to grow. His low head circumference may be due to low weight. This has to be taken seriously.
I think I have also chatted to you earlier about your son's cradle cap. From the chat I know that you are completely breast feeding him. It is quite possible that he is failing to grow due to fungal infection of cradle cap and inadequate breast milk.
Now I do not suggest that the baby be given oral antifungal medicines.
I would definitely suggest the following:
- Give him vitamin supplements especially vit A, D, E and iron.
- You need to drink the cleanest water from an RO system (filtration with reverse osmosis). It will help with fungal infections.
- Start him on bottle feed with cow's milk or cow milk based formula WITHOUT omega 3, 6, 9. This is to be used in addition to breast feeding. It does not mean that you discontinue breast feeding.
- Once he is more than 4 months, holds his neck and has a good swallowing reflex, start him on cerelac
- Regularly monitor his weight
- Once he starts solid food, consult a dietitian as to which food would help him to gain weight.
- It is still worthwhile to visit a neurologist.
- Stay in contact with a pediatrician who takes low weight seriously.
Please follow each of my advice diligently till his weight is normal.
Dr Vaishalee
Weight is below normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
His weight is below normal for his age. He is failing to grow. His low head circumference may be due to low weight. This has to be taken seriously.
I think I have also chatted to you earlier about your son's cradle cap. From the chat I know that you are completely breast feeding him. It is quite possible that he is failing to grow due to fungal infection of cradle cap and inadequate breast milk.
Now I do not suggest that the baby be given oral antifungal medicines.
I would definitely suggest the following:
- Give him vitamin supplements especially vit A, D, E and iron.
- You need to drink the cleanest water from an RO system (filtration with reverse osmosis). It will help with fungal infections.
- Start him on bottle feed with cow's milk or cow milk based formula WITHOUT omega 3, 6, 9. This is to be used in addition to breast feeding. It does not mean that you discontinue breast feeding.
- Once he is more than 4 months, holds his neck and has a good swallowing reflex, start him on cerelac
- Regularly monitor his weight
- Once he starts solid food, consult a dietitian as to which food would help him to gain weight.
- It is still worthwhile to visit a neurologist.
- Stay in contact with a pediatrician who takes low weight seriously.
Please follow each of my advice diligently till his weight is normal.
Dr Vaishalee
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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