March 23, 2012

UN-inverted nipples?

July 15, 2009 - 19 month-old Bertrand with inverted nipples. Photo taken at the NIH.

Bertrand was born with inverted nipples. This was probably the first symptom we noticed because no one in either of our families has inverted nipples. Multiple geneticists have commented on this. Inverted nipples can be a symptom of several genetic disorders including some congenital disorders of glycosylation.


September 28, 2011 - 3 year-old Bertrand, about 1 month with normal nipples.

"Hey daddy, for the past month, Bertrand's nipples have been normal? They were inverted since birth. Is it just that he is skinnier? Or could the vitamins un-invert them?? It's just weird."
- Text message to my father, who is a doctor, on 9/28/11.
August 2011, we began vitamin therapy for Bertrand. He had been receiving at least 100% of the recommended daily allowance for all vitamins and minerals. But my belief was, that based on many of his symptoms, his body was having difficulty absorbing and/or processing these nutrients so he needed more. We drastically increased the dosage of certain vitamins. (For example, the RDA of B12 for a 4 year-old is 1.2 mcg but Bertrand receives 5000 mcg.) We immediately saw positive results.

And by a month later, Bertrand's nipples had officially un-inverted. At first we figured that he could possibly be cold, or maybe he'd been effectively anemic, or the normal condition could be temporary, even if odd. But now, I am just curious. His nipples have been normal for 7 months. What gives?

March 22, 2012 - 4 year-old Bertrand, 7 months with normal nipples.

If anyone can shed any light on this, please let me know! Especially given the recent developments with Bertrand's head circumference, if we may have hit on something I want to understand it. Thanks!

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