Diagnosis


	Hemihypertrophy/Hemihyperplasia

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Diagnosis

So you think you or your child has hemi? Here are some of the first steps you should take to get a proper diagnosis:

*A Pediatrician should be able to give a diagnosis of Hemihypertrophy.

*After you receive a diagnosis from your pediatrician, you should be referred to a Geneticist to get a conclusive diagnosis.

*Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, an Abdominal Ultrasound should be performed to check for any organ involvement. X-rays of the affected limbs should also be done to get an accurate measurement of the difference. (length and girth)

**A general guideline for identifying hemihypertrophy is: a 5% or greater difference in size or length between some aspect of the right and left sides of the body. As children with hemihypertrophy grow, the discrepancy between the two sides increases, but the relative proportions between the two sides usually remains the same over the long haul.
Approximate 5% difference
~1/2 inch for a 1 yr old
~1 inch for a 5 yr old
~1 1/2 inch for an adult
(Source: Drgreene.Org)

*You should also take pictures of the affected limbs for documentation purposes. It is also good have them for you records.


	Diagnosis

We have no medical background, just personal experiences that we can share with you

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