Increased head circumference is when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than expected for the child's age and background.
Alternative NamesMacrocephaly
ConsiderationsA newborn's head is usually about 2 centimeters larger than the chest size. Between 6 months and 2 years, both measurements are about equal. After 2 years, the chest size becomes larger than the head.
A series of measurements over time that show an increased rate of head growth often can provide more valuable information than a single measurement that is larger than expected.
Increased pressure in the head (increased intracranial pressure) often accompanies increased head circumference. Symptoms associated with this condition include:
See also: Bulging fontanelles
Common CausesThe health care provider usually finds macrocephaly during a routine well-baby exam.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will take a medical history and will perform a physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
Physical examination may include repeated measurements of the head circumference over a period of time to confirm that the head circumference is significantly increased. In some cases a single measurement is enough to confirm a significant increase.
Diagnostic tests may vary depending on the suspected cause, but often include:
After seeing your health care provider:
If your health care provider diagnosed the cause of increased head circumference, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
Increased head circumference is when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than expected for the child's age and background.
Alternative NamesMacrocephaly
ConsiderationsA newborn's head is usually about 2 centimeters larger than the chest size. Between 6 months and 2 years, both measurements are about equal. After 2 years, the chest size becomes larger than the head.
A series of measurements over time that show an increased rate of head growth often can provide more valuable information than a single measurement that is larger than expected.
Increased pressure in the head (increased intracranial pressure) often occurs with increased head circumference. Symptoms of this condition include:
See also: Bulging fontanelles
Common CausesThe health care provider usually finds macrocephaly during a routine well-baby exam.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will take a medical history and will perform a physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
The distance is measured in centimeters or inches and compared with:
A careful physical exam will be done. Other milestones for growth and development will be checked.
In some cases, a single measurement is enough to confirm that there is a size increase that needs to be tested further. More often, repeated measurements of the head circumference over a period of time are needed to confirm that the head circumference is increased and the problem is getting worse.
Diagnostic tests vary depending on the cause, but often include:
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/01/2011
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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mine is 620mm is that too big?? i think the average circumference is about 570 for men mine is 620mm is that too big?? i think the average circumference is about 570 for men
Because it is difficult to wrap a metre ruler around someone's head.
It was popularized by Leonhard Euler, when he adopted the symbol in 1737. By this time, Euler was already a fairly prominent mathematician, serving as head of the mathematics department at the Academy at St. Petersburg. As far as modern historians know, the symbol was first used for that purpose in print in 1706, by Welsh mathematician called William Jones. Prior to that, the symbol for pi was used for the circumference of a circle, not for the (constant) ratio of that circumference to the circle's diameter.
guitar head
Head circumference of 3 year old?
HC on an ultrasound means Head Circumference.
what is the average head circumference of a 5 year old boy
Height is how long circumference is the distance around
The average circumference of the human head in men is 55.9 cm. The average circumference of a woman's head is 54.47cm. There is rarely more than 2cm difference either way.
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With a tape measure.
Microcephaly is an extremely rare condition in which the fetus's head circumference is lower then one percentile.
30 inches
There is no specific size
75 cms
Usually a tape measure will do.