Placenta Previa, combined with short leg bones and very small baby overall.......?

Question

I had my 20 week ultraound done last week and they said that my baby is very small, and they are concerned, but they don't think that my due date should be pushed back. I have marginal placenta previa, and the baby's leg bones were abnormally short. Doctor said that I will be getting an ultrasound done every month to check on the placenta previa, and that they would re-measure the legs next month at the U/S. This will be my third child. Other two are perfectly normal, 7lbs 8oz, 10 on the Apgar Score at birth, and second child was 8lbs 12oz, 9 on the apgar score at birth. There is no history of anything other than bi-polar and anxiety on my husband side, no history of any physical deformities at all. Worried! Does anyone know what this could be? Could it be a type of dwarfism?

Answer 1

Regarding the baby, I would try not to panic just yet. Ultrasounds are not the end all end of tests during pregnancy. Just as they can be off on sex of a child, they can differ in measurements as well and all of this depends on the operator, which no human is perfect. I know worrying about this is eating you up inside, but this does you and the baby no good and regardless does not change what will happen. Chances are the next appointment this worry will be placed at an end. But, the difference could simply be due to a difference in dates all the way to failure to thrive. If it could be dwarfism or some other form of difference, remember your child is still a blessing. My son has autism so I understand where you are coming from. So please try to stay calm for now. Regarding the placenta previa, you did say partial. What this means is your placenta has placed itself at the bottom of your uterus instead of the top or the fundus as it is called. The major points of concern with this is a. not to deliver the placenta before the baby (as this would cut off all nutrition, blood flow, and oxygen to the child before it is born) and b. to avoid it prematurely detaching from the uterian wall and causing uncontrolled bleeding. Both of these are easily overcome with a C-section and you will be closely monitored the rest of your pregnancy and during delivery. Most likely being induced before labor begins. Just be sure to immediately report any labor signs or bleeding to your doctor immediately or seek the nearest ER for help. Good luck!! Please take care.

Answer 2

I did a little research on the topic of short leg bones and could not find anything that was not hereditary. It is associated of course with different kinds of dwarfism which is considered an inherited condition. However, I know of a family that has a child with dwarfism and as far back as they can go into the family history they have not been able to find any indication that there have been other dwarfs. I know waiting for the ultrasound will be hard for you, but it sounds to me like your doctor is taking a very wise approach to this - wait and see. A lot can change, and there could even have been an error made in the measurements of the baby in the first ultrasound. Our friends view their daughter as a gift, a special and unexpected gift and I have to tell you she is a delightful little girl. If your baby does indeed have dwarfism, I would encourage you the get in touch with the The Little People of America, I think they will be able to answer a lot of your questions. God Bless!


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Answer 3

It's a bit hard to know at this stage. There is no particular form of dwarfism that affects the legs only, although there are many diseases that cause physical deformities of the limbs.

The fact that your previous two children are alive and well and in good health is a good indicator that things will go well for this child too.

Attend your follow up scans - they will want to re-measure the legs. You might find that it may have been a technical difficulty in measuring the legs in the first place and that your baby's legs are quite normal.