What is head circumference? What is it, diagnosis and more

Head circunference

Although we cannot give specific data, because there are several points that must be dealt with, it is true that when we are born we will have a measurement of the contour of the head. This will be about 34 centimeters. It is a fact that, like the measurement or the weight of the newborn, is always taken into account due to its importance. Do you know what the head circumference is?

Knowing all this data just on the day of birth will be perfect for doctors to monitor growth progress. As well as comparing the values ​​and ranges for each age. The ideal thing is to follow the growth but without there being stagnant values ​​nor that we find ourselves with a great acceleration. If you want to know more, we will tell you.

What is head circumference?

El head circunference It is the measure that throws when measuring the baby's head from its widest part, that is, above the ears and eyebrows. This measure is part of the pediatrician's routine to confirm that the baby is in perfect growth condition, depending on its age. It is taken at birth and then monthly until the age of 3. The measurements are placed on a template, which will form a curve, where the normal ranges will be considered, depending on the sex and age of the baby. If the growth curve of the head circumference tends to go outside the normal ranges, it may be a symptom of a problem.

Head measurement in babies

How much should the head circumference grow per month?

The first months of life, up to 6, are crucial for head circumference. Hence, at each visit to the pediatrician, he will be in charge of making the corresponding measurements. This perimeter can grow up to 0,5 centimeters each week until the baby is 3 months old.. From three months to six the growth will be 1 cm per month. While from those six months and up to two years, approximately, it will be 0,5 but for each month. When they reach two years of age, maximum growth and development are said to have been completed.

What if a baby has a big head?

It is true that when measuring the head circumference there is no specific measure to determine if it is normal or not. Since this will depend on several factors from age to sex or even medical history. So it is a host of situations that the doctor will mention to you. By this we mean that there is no specific value to be able to say that there are problems. But when we notice that the head is larger, we speak of macrocephaly. The diagnostic and analytical tests will be those that determine whether or not the aforementioned exists.

Problems when the head circumference is larger

Since sometimes if the head is a little bigger it may be because the child also has a more developed body. It must be said that as a general rule those with this condition are totally healthy. Of course, when we talk about an enlargement of the brain, then this may be due to the presence of water in it or to other types of alterations that must be studied.

What percentile is considered microcephaly?

Already in pregnancy we can know if the baby has microcephaly, thanks to a simple ultrasound. Sometimes, because the brain did not develop as it should or because it stopped growing in the newborn, we see how its head is smaller. When the percentile measurement is less than 3%, then yes, we can talk about a problem. It must also be said that there can always be a measurement error when we are dealing with a newborn than in slightly older babies. This is a good fact to keep in mind to avoid giving a diagnosis at first.

Why does microcephaly appear? There are also several reasons why this can happen and some of them can be the lack of oxygen in childbirth, genetic abnormalities, infections, etc. It must be said that it is not common for cases of microcephaly to occur. The more severe this condition, the more problems can occur in the baby. Some of them it can be problems in speech, as well as in walking or hearing loss among others. As we have already commented, it is not something usual but we must know.

Diagnoses of microcephaly and macrocephaly

We have mentioned it but we wanted to emphasize that the diagnosis is possible through an ultrasound and before the baby is born. For microcephaly, after birth, you must follow up to see if the perimeter is growing, if not, you can do an MRI to check if there are any type of anomalies. Regarding macrocephaly, after birth also an MRI will be the key test in addition to analytics. Depending on the results, the most successful treatments will be sought for each case.



5 comments, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   FERNANDO PAVA said

    PLEASE I NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH THE HEAD PERIMETER OF MY DAUGHTER SHOULD MEASURE, SHE IS 31 MONTHS OLD, IS 92 CMS HEIGHT AND WEIGHTS 13 KILOS

  2.   lucia said

    Hello Fernando how are you? Unfortunately we do not have that information, because we are not doctors, but we only inform about various topics that may be useful to parents. If you want more information, the ideal is that you consult with your daughter's pediatrician.
    Thanks for commenting and keep reading MadresHoy.com

    1.    Gonzalo Santillano Cespedes said

      How about, do not complicate the situation where you are there is a place for health care, please go.

  3.   Araceli Balboa Bustamante said

    ´I want to ask if the cephalic primal is related to intelligence or school performance. Thanks

  4.   mary said

    I want to know if the cephalic perimeter of my 9-month-old baby is normal, it is 42.5 cm and weighs 18 lbs and measures 77 cm thanks