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Head circumference

Definition

Head circumference is a measurement of a child’s head around its largest area -- it measures the distance from above the eyebrows and ears and around the back of the head.

Alternative Names

Occipital-frontal circumference

Information

During routine check-ups, the distance is measured in centimeters and compared with previous measurements; normal ranges are based on sex and age (weeks, months).

Measurement of the head circumference is an important part of routine well baby care. Through the years, doctors have obtained values for normal growth rates of infants and young children's heads. During the well baby exam, a deviation from the expected normal head growth may alert the doctor of a possible problem.

For example, a head that is larger than normal or whose size is increasing faster than normal may be an indication of increased intracranial pressure (there are multiple causes for this condition including head injury, meningitis, water on the brain, or bleeding within the skull). An exceptionally small head size (called microcephaly) or very slow growth rate may indicate that the brain is not developing properly.

Review Date: 10/23/2007
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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