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I've been told my 5 month old has a larger than normal head.

Sent to Health Experts October 14 2008 at 1:59 PM
   

I've been told my 5 month old has a larger than normal head. My pediatrician wants to do an MRI. What is she looking for and should I be worried?

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October 14 2008 at 2:02 PM (3 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Well, anytime an infant's head is larger than normal, one needs to find out why.

Is it a "backup" of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that is causing it to enlarge from it's inability to drain (called hydrocephalus)?

Or could it be a tumor causing fluid to back up?

Or could it be blood or fluid on the outside of the brain (subdural hematoma or hygroma)?

Or it could simply be that your child has a larger head genetically.

The reason that your doctor wants to find out now, is if it is a correctable condition (hydrocephalus), treating it now will prevent possible developmental delay.

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M.D. - Neurological Surgery
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Dr. Mark -- Doctor (MD) -- 100% Positive Feedback on 3235 Health Accepts
U.S. Physician/Surgeon in Neurosurgery
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