Regular measurement of the head circumference is just as important in an infant as the measurement of weight and length. Excessive head circumference growth is defined as an enlargement of the head circumference greater than expected over a given period of time.
Excessive growth of the head circumference in an infant - Symptoms and course
A newborn infant has a head circumference that is larger than the chest circumference, but with the following months of life the chest circumference starts to exceed the head circumference.
The average birth head circumference for girls is 34.3 cm and for boys 35 cm. During the first 3 months of life, the head circumference should increase by about 6 cm and during the following 3 months (i.e. between the ages of 3 and 6 months) by a further 3 cm. After that, the growth of the head circumference is even slower. At the age of 12 months, a child's head circumference is on average 46.3 cm for girls and on average 47.3 cm for boys.
When to go to the doctor and treat it
An increase in the head circumference significantly above the norms given above is a worrying signal that requires consultation with the paediatrician, who should decide whether to refer the child for an examination (especially Medical US of the head) or for a consultation with a paediatric neurologist. It is particularly worrying if an excessive increase in head circumference is accompanied by a developmental delay (delay in sitting, crawling, standing up, speaking).
Excessive growth of the head circumference in an infant - Treatment
If the paediatrician recommends observation only, the head circumference should be measured and recorded 1-2 times a month. It is also advisable to record at what age the child acquires the various skills, so that if the paediatrician consults the neurologist at a later stage, he or she can have an overview of the child's development to date.