The circumference of the newborn's head is one of the metric parameters, which is under the constant supervision of doctors. The first time it is measured at birth, and then - with each monthly scheduled examination of the baby.
It is this indicator that judges the pace of brain development and the absence of any pathologies. So, for example, a large volume of the head can indirectly indicate the development of a baby's microcephaly or hydrocephalus . Both pathological conditions require immediate medical intervention.
What size of the head circumference is normal?
At the first measurement of a newborn's head in a rod, usually its circumference is 34-35 cm, which is usually considered the norm. Throughout the first year of the infant's life, this indicator will slowly but steadily increase, and at 1 year the circumference of the head of the crumb will increase by 12 cm.
How does the size of the head change?
Many mothers are interested in what circle of the head of her newborn should be in 1 month, after 2?
For such cases, there is a certain table, which indicates how the head circumference changes with the increase in the age of the newborn. It can be noted that the most active growth of the head is observed in the first 4 months. At this time, this parameter on average increases by 1.5-2 cm over a calendar month, and by this time the size of the head becomes equal to the coverage of the breast, that is, the body acquires the right proportions.
| Age | Size, cm |
|---|---|
| 1 month | 35-34 |
| 2 months | 37-36 |
| 3 months | 39-38 |
| 6 months | 41-40 |
| 9 months | 44-43 |
| 12 months | 47-46 |
| 2 years | 49-48 |
| 3 years | 49-50 |
| 4 years | 51-50 |
| 5 years | 51-50 |
In order to independently calculate the average head circumference in the newborn in the future, you can use a simple formula. When calculating it, the starting point is 6 months old, when the volume of the head is 43 cm. If it is necessary to know the norm for up to six months, then 1.5 cm is taken for each month, and if later 6 months - 0.5 cm per each month of life. This method is not reliable, therefore it allows only approximately to determine the values.
Deviations from the norm
It should be noted that this parameter is usually taken into account in conjunction with other indicators of development, since separately the head circumference can not be used as a diagnostic parameter due to the fact that some abnormalities of the norm are usually not considered pathology. So, for example, if one of the parents in infancy had a small head size, then the child may have the same.
However, if this parameter significantly exceeds the limits of the norm, it is necessary to take a closer look at the child. Often an increase in the volume of the head may indirectly indicate the development of pathology.
So, with hydrocephalus, along with an increase in the circumference of the head, fontanels become convex, the forehead is large, and the skull bones slightly diverge. At the same time, a pronounced venous network appears on the head,
In the opposite case, when the head circumference is less than normal (fontanels of small size or completely closed), one can assume the development of microcephaly. However, the diagnosis is made exclusively by a doctor after a thorough examination. The main research method for these pathologies is ultrasound.
Thus, every mother should know the norms of the volume of her head. If you have the first suspicious symptoms, you should immediately call a doctor who will conduct a thorough examination and make the appropriate diagnosis, according to which treatment is prescribed.