Benjamin had his 9 month checkup with his regular pediatrician a few days ago. Because we made his appointment so early in the morning, Daryl took him, while I took Jaxon to the bus stop. I hate to miss any of my children’s appointments, but I am so thankful to have a partner who can handle these things on his own, never complains, and tells me every little detail when he gets back home.
Our biggest concern was if he still had fluid in his right ear. He had an ear infection a few weeks ago that was treated. When we returned for a 2 week appointment to make sure the fluid had drained, it was still present (a common problem in children with Achondroplasia). Thankfully, at this visit, there was no fluid found! This was such a relief for us. Our son has been very lucky so far in that he had not had too many issues common for his condition.
He has also been pretty much following the mean (average) for his height, weight for height, and head circumference as well. He weighed 15 pounds, 8.8ounces and is now 25 inches tall. His head circumference was 49.5cm. We gave our pediatrician the weight for height chart, but I think he’s just using the height only chart because he told Daryl that Benjamin was only in the 25th percentile for weight. I am assuming that is on a weight chart used for average height children.
It seems that not very many people have the weight for height charts so I am including them in this post for any families who may want it. You can also find all the other common Achondroplasia growth charts on my post Achondroplasia Growth and Motor Milestones Charts if you need them.
We are so happy to get a 3 month break from any doctor’s appointments, as long as there is no illness of course. Benjamin will go to A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital on his birthday, May 26, to see his geneticist Dr. Bober and we will meet with Dr. MacKenzie in orthopedics for the first time as well. Then, a few days later he will have his one year pediatrician appointment. We can only hope that he keeps progressing as amazingly well as he has been! He is such a lucky, sweet little boy!
Kati Gyulai says
Thanks so much for recommending POLP groups on Facebook. This is the first time I will be active on Facebook. My 4 months old son also has Achondroplasyia.
Lauren Vavala says
Welcome to the family! I know it’s all overwhelming at first and there are definitely challenges forever really…but it’s a wonderful group to be a part of!
Mahmood says
Thanks lauren for your positive motivated posts, i wish health and happiness for your baby, he looks wonderful, my baby has the achnodroplasia but he only 3 months now , i want to ask you if you have asked about these new surgeries for increasing the bones length makes people taller , is it works for achondroplasia
Lauren says
Hi Mahmood! We see a skeletal dysplasia geneticist, Dr. Bober, at AI DuPont Hospital in Delaware. He has told us that these surgeries are available, and that there are also tests being done with an experimental medication as well. Both are controversial topics. I don’t believe you can join the clinical trials for the medication until the child is 5 and the limb-lengthening surgery is even later from my understanding. These are not choices I feel I should be making, but I firmly believe each family should do what they feel is best for their own child. If you are on Facebook, look for POLP (parents of little people) groups to join – they are VERY helpful! If you’re in the US, there are also LPA groups for the area you live in. I”m not sure what other country’s might have. I wish you and your son all the best!
Sarah says
Thank you for posting, it confirms what I meeded. My son Jacob also has achondisplasia with the same curvation in his back. Thankfully its flecable when he is on his belly. He is 8 1/2 months and is doing well. Its good to be connected to others with similiar situation.
Lauren says
Hi Sarah! so glad the information was helpful 🙂 My son is 2 years, 4 months old now and still have a curve (kyphosis). He is seen by Dr MacKenzie every 6 months to have it x-rayed and evaluated. It seems to be improving. Don’t be surprised if it takes some time…they told us it *should* work itself out by 3 since he was an early walker at 14 months old. Hopefully everything else is going well for your little guy!!
There are several very active Facebook groups for parents of little people (POLP)..they are by far the best resource I’ve found for all kind of questions – let me know if you need anything!