Cerebellum measuring small?

[Anonymous]

I had my 20- week detailed sono today. They of course don't tell you anything and you have to wait to hear from your doc. But from what I could see, measurements were right where they should be except the baby's cerebellum was measuring about a week small.

Anyone have any experience with this? Dr. Google isn't being very forthcoming.

[Anonymous]

I advise waiting to hear from your doctor, who probably knows more about this than all of us. I bet if it was very concerning, they would have told you then and there. How do you even know it was measuring small?

[Anonymous]

DD has a neurological structural condition that was discovered at the 18 week scan. We got a fetal MRI at children's and then met with Dr Myseros - pediatric neurosurgeon. It gave us so much piece of mind and answers about what to expect.

Stay away from Google.

[Anonymous]

I was in the same situation, OP. One of my twins' cerebellum was measuring a week behind the other one's. They didn't say anything about it, but I scrutinized the measurements, and subsequently spent several hours on Google trying to find out what it might mean. From what I could find out, they measure the cerebellum only early on, and mainly to determine gestational age. There is a study or two that sees a small cerebellum as a marker for certain genetic abnormalities, but in that case it would measure MUCH smaller. One week is nothing.

Here is a link I found comforting, as it showed that my baby's cerebellum was within the range of normal:

http://www.centrus.com.br/DiplomaFMF/SeriesFMF/18-23-weeks/appendix-03/normal_fetal_biometry/appendix-03.htm#TCD

When I questioned doctors and sonographers about the measurement at my next appointments, they brushed me off and said nobody looked at the cerebellum anymore, it was insignificant.

My twins are now almost four months and as far as I can tell, they are completely fine.

All this to say: don't worry!






When I

[Anonymous]

Don't know how that last "When I" got in there...

[Anonymous]

I would not stress too much about findings like this. It seems like they tend towards over-concern on sonograms for many things that just turn out to be normal variations. I had basically my whole 2nd trimester ruined by this - so try not to think too much about it!

[Anonymous]

1 week is nothing and they tell you the highlights then and there, mine did and if anything is concerning they let you know.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! To the poster who asked how I knew, it's because some of the measurements were done in weeks/days rather than pure size, and I know the actual gestational age because this is an IVF pregnancy.

The report came back and said the cranial structure was normal, so apparently a week is within the realm of normal variation.

Very interesting about the cerebellum not being a meaningful measurement anymore...

[Anonymous]

I've had four healthy babies, and measurements for lots of things were always a week or more off and it was never flagged as a concern. A lot of it has to do with who is doing the measurements, so a week or two range is typically normal.

[Anonymous]

I've had a lot of ultrasounds to measure growth in this pregnancy, and the tech always says that the measurements are plus or minus one week. Don't worry until the doctor tells you do and definitely do not google.

[Anonymous]

mine was 3 wks off and im really surprised nobody cares!

[Anonymous]

I had my 19 week u/s yesterday and the baby's cerebellum measured 'small' (in lowest 10% of normal range). I was told size doesn't matter but rather shape (which was perfectly normal). Baby was kicking and moving all limbs the whole time. I don't see this as a problem and the specialist didn't think so either. I hope this gives some relief to those who are worried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting about the cerebellum not being a meaningful measurement anymore...

Size of the cerebellum is meaningful - my guess is pp's doc was trying to be reassuring - but a week isn't anything to worry about.