Scarletts Medical history.....Yeah TMI but you can handle it :-)

[momma_shuler]

30-40 Weeks Gestation: Before birth, Scarlett had become restricted in the womb. Without our knowledge she was lodged in one position (in my hip) for the last 10 weeks of the pregnancy. 

 

Labor and Delivery: Scarlett's heart rate dropped frighteningly low. There was meconium when my water broke, and I had only been fully dilated and pushing for 20 minutes before they began considering an emergency c-section. She was delivered drug free, with the help of an episiotomy and vacuum assist just 35 minutes from the first "push". She was born full term and was 6 lbs 15 oz. and 19.5 inches long.

 

0-2 month old: Scarlett showed difficulty gaining weight. After 6 weeks of exclusive breastfeeding I started my first period (which would indicate I wasn't producing a lot of milk) and my right breast completely stopped producing milk. Her pediatrician was seeing her weekly to monitor her weight.

 

2 -3 months: I began supplementing formula. She responded to Enfamil Premium well, but she still had no improvement in gaining weight. After 2 weeks of Enfamil premium I switched to Similac and Scarlett had an instant bad reaction- 10 days of diarrhea. We immediately switched to Enfacare which her pediatrician thought necessary to add calories to her diet, which she tolerated but it did not change her gaining habits. At 3 months old Scarlett weighed approximately 9lbs 11 oz. and had dropped from 25th percentile at birth down to the 5th percentile in weight.

 

3-4 months: Her pediatrician diagnosed her with Plagiocephaly and Torticollis and she began physical therapy, despite the therapy and careful positioning of her head we could not get her plagiocephaly to correct itself and to this day she suffers from a severely abnormal head shape and visible facial deformities.

 

4-5 months: We moved from Washington to California. Scarlett's pediatrician in Washington had stated that if we were to stay, she would have started running blood panels and chromosomal tests within the month. She also said she would feel comfortable if we found a pediatrician in California that would begin testing immediately, and she was anxious for us to keep in touch with her. When we got to California, Scarlett's new pediatrician showed little concern, and wanted her to be under his observation for a few months before considering invasive tests.

 

6 months: Scarlett got her first of MANY ear infections. There had been no change in her diet (she refused solid foods and remained on the same formula). 

 

7 Months: Scarlett finally hit 12 lbs. Her pediatrician still hadn't progressed with any tests and every week I was bringing her in to weigh her and talk about possible reasons for her petite body. He reassured me she was healthy because she was meeting her milestones, even though at this point she was negative 10th percentile.

 

8 months: From her first ear infection at 6 months Scarlett got her 2nd infection and from here on out she got Ear infections like clockwork- every 6 weeks.

 

 9 months: began crawling

 

10 months: another ear infection and finally chromosome analysis- results were normal.

 

12 months: Finally doubled her birth weight!

 

14 months: Began walking. Got her most recent ear infection and it could NOT be cured. She went through 3 sets of antibiotics and on Christmas Eve she was admitted to the E.R. She couldn't sleep, was miserable, and the ear infection was to the point of bursting. They administered two shots of antibiotic in her butt cheeks instead of one to the thigh because she had no fat on her body. They also sent her home with more amoxicillin which I was reluctant to give her.

 

14-15 Months: Knowing that antibiotics couldn't help her ear infections I tried a natural solution- Breast milk. By giving Scarlett 8-12 oz. of donated breast milk a day we kept her ear infection at bay until her Ear Tube surgery in February (16 months old)

 

16 Months: Ear tubes were placed but other than not having any more ear infections they had no effect on her. Her gain pattern stayed the same. Since Surgery she has gained less than 2 lbs- it has been 5 months.

 

17 months: Had Scarlett evaluated for Occupational Therapy. She had a 25% delay in almost all areas. Sensory issues may be the reason for lack of "appetite".

 

18 Months: Started seeing a craniofacial chiropractor. After her first session she had a dramatic change in appetite and went from an almost 95% liquid diet to a 70% liquid diet. She also had a huge growth spurt. 6 days after her first session she grew almost an inch and gained all the weight she had lost in the previous month back.

Currently:  I am the proud owner of the smallest toddler I have EVER seen. At 21 months old she weighs 17.5 lbs and wears a size 3 shoe. Every pediatrician has judged her by her brightness and ability to learn- which are indeed very normal if not advanced. But since birth I have stressed about her weight and have had NO rest about it and no help from a health care professional. If we had stayed in Washington her old pediatrician would have diagnosed her A YEAR AGO or found that she is completely healthy and there is no cause for concern. Since our move I have struggled WEEKLY to get Scarlett the help she needs and have been completely ignored. The only help I have received has been from homeopaths and so far they have been extremely helpful, she responds to occupational therapy and chiropractic's very well. But that does NOT help me when I have no idea why she needs them. I want a diagnosis so I know what I am trying to treat!

[harleymama30]

Jul. 5, 2011 at 5:11 AM

i feel your concern. DONT STOP FIGHTING!!! call around to other pediatricians and perhaps an osteopath or even pediatric orthopedic. Heck, get her into a university and have them run all the test under the son. NOONE should have to go thru this. When Q got his diagnosis, everyone was at a standstill as to what they should do...dr's need a kick in the arse to get em on the right track. Try massage therapist and see what he/she says. It could be she has some things that are not right cuz of her position while pregnant. good luck

[onefootcutiepie]

Jul. 5, 2011 at 8:38 AM

The ear infections are quite common and torticollis is a pretty minor thing, actually.

Given that she IS meeting all her milestones, her small fram do NOT appear to be a signal of something much bigger. She is just very small. I agree with your doctor, no reason to do more invasive testing when she doesn't have any symptoms other than being tiny. Being smaller than other kids is not a disease. She's had genetic testing, she's seen doctors far more than regularly. IF something else comes up that is an actual health problem, then I could see pushing for more tests. Otherwise, wait.