[kakies]

Ever since dd was born I noticed that her belly seemed a little too big in proportion to the rest of her body. She was fine and healthy but I was a little concerned about this. Her pediatrician said that she seemed to be fine so I didn't worry much hoping that it would be less obvious as she got older.

Now she is 22mo and her belly still seems too big for her. When she is naked around the house it sticks out a lot. I wonder if this can affect her back because it seems like she has to arch it backwards in order to keep her balance. Friends have also commented on her "cute little pot belly".

Dh and I think that there might be something wrong (maybe with her liver) so we decided to get some blood tests done on her. We are supposed to take her to get an ultrasound done and I'm not sure if it's safe for her age.

When I was pregnant with her, I didn't know any better and the doctor performed about 10 ultrasounds on me (maybe more)... he charged me every time and now I know that they weren't necessary. I feel that I put her through a big risk when I was pregnant and now I don't know if I should go ahead with the ultrasound performed directly on her at such a young age.

Does anyone have any info or suggestions?

 

[Tigerchild]

The ultrasound machine is a medical device, and so it *does* have some risks associated with it. It's only been used for about 30 years or so, so there aren't too many good, credible long term studies done on level of risk.

On the other hand, ultrasound CAN detect problems that before might have become fatal before detection and/or screen for them in a less invasive way than would happen without u/s.

So, what do you come up with when you balance the unknown harm factor with "potential" benefit?

I am inclined to say go with your gut, if you believe something's wrong. Don't ignore the little voice. However...it sounds like the ped. is just ordering the tests to appease you. Maybe you can sit down with him/her and talk a little bit more about what information they expect to get/rule out?

My boys have both had hip ultrasounds and Tom has had a shoulder joint ultrasound AND Xray. But they were for very specific concerns that the doctor had. The tech was excellent, and not only was it quick, but she was very gentle and it wasn't traumatic. This was done at a Children's hospital though, so I'm not sure what it's like other places. My boys were also ultrasounded at least 2 times weekly from 14 weeks on (one of the joys of major fetal complications), but they are right on track developmentally as far as we know.

I guess this is a rather long winded answer. The short of it is: nobody knows, so you've got to determine if the potential payoff is worth the potential risk.

 

[The Lucky One]

This is just my opinion, of course, but don't all toddlers have protruding abd's? I know my 21 month old ds certainly does. Does you dd's seem to protrude more than other children you have seen?

If I were you I would see what the bloodwork shows. Does she seem to be a healthy kid? Not jaundiced, no chronic vomiting, adequate weight gain, meeting milestones, etc? Can the ped palpate any kind of a mass in her abd or pelvis?

Obviously, if the bloodwork is out of whack then I would say a u/s is worth any risk to rule out a potential significant problem. If the bloodwork is fine, no mass is palpated and everything about your child is healthy-seeming, I probably wouldn't do it just because her abd looks big. It might be just the way she is built. I would think if she had a liver problem such that she was accumulating enough fluid in her abd to make her appear distended, she would most certainly have other more ominous symptoms.

Keep us updated.

lisa

 

[jackson's mama]

I agree with what Tigerchild has said. Talk to the ped further about what he hopes to find out from these tests (both blood and u/s), what his thoughts are about the possible source of her distention, then make your decision based on what you hope to gain vs. the potential for harm. I *personally* feel that u/s is low on the risk level, but I can't tell you what you should decide.

That said, I also agree with The Lucky One in that most toddlers have little pot bellies. In fact, the posture that you describe is very common among little ones as well.