Head size according to girl's age. Head and chest circumference in children (average values)

The head circumference of a newborn is one of the metric parameters that is constantly monitored by doctors. It is measured for the first time at birth, and then at each monthly routine examination of the baby.

It is by this indicator that the rate of brain development and the absence of any pathologies are judged. So, for example, a large head volume may indirectly indicate the development of microcephaly or microcephaly in an infant. Both pathological conditions require immediate medical intervention.

When the head of a newborn is first measured in the delivery room, its circumference is usually 34-35 cm, which is considered normal. Throughout the entire first year of a baby’s life, this figure will slowly but steadily increase, and at 1 year the baby’s head circumference will increase by 12 cm.

Many mothers are interested in what head circumference her newborn should have in 1 month, in 2?

For such cases, there is a certain table that indicates how the head circumference changes with increasing 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 increases on average by 1.5-2 cm per calendar month, and by this time the size of the head becomes equal to the circumference of the chest, that is, the body acquires the correct proportions.

In order to independently calculate the average head circumference of a newborn in the future, you can use a simple formula. When calculating it, the starting point is taken at the age of 6 months, when the volume of the head is 43 cm. If you need to find out the norm before six months, then 1.5 cm is subtracted for each month, and if after 6 months, 0.5 cm is added for each month month of life. This method is not reliable, therefore it allows only approximately determining the values.

It should be noted that this parameter is usually taken into account in conjunction with other development indicators, since head circumference cannot be used separately as a diagnostic parameter due to the fact that some deviations from the norm are usually not considered pathology. So, for example, if one of the parents had a small head in infancy, then the child may have the same one.

However, if this parameter significantly exceeds the normal limits, it is necessary to take a closer look at the child. Often, an increase in head volume may indirectly indicate the development of pathology.

So, with hydrocephalus, along with an increase in head circumference, the forehead becomes convex, the forehead is large, and the bones of the skull diverge slightly. In this case, a pronounced venous network appears on the head, and neurological symptoms develop.

In the opposite case, when the head circumference is less than normal (the fontanelles are small 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 for the volume of her baby’s head. When the first suspicious symptoms appear, you must immediately consult a doctor, who will conduct a thorough examination and make an appropriate diagnosis, according to which treatment will be prescribed.

Below is a calculator for calculating a child's head circumference.

Enter the child's gender, age and head circumference value, click the "Show result" button and see a comparison of your child's indicator with the standard encyclopedic normal.

But we know that this is just a comparative characteristic and nothing more. There is no longer any need to look at a lot of tables and look for the required indicator among a huge number of numbers, it still doesn’t mean much, it’s better to take care of your child :)).

If you care about the health of your child and want to find out how much his height, weight, chest circumference corresponds to the average values, you can use our other calculators:

Head circumference measurements

A baby's head grows quite quickly during the first year. At your appointment, your pediatrician will measure your head circumference, chest circumference, height and weight monthly. The head is measured using a soft centimeter, at the widest point in the front at a level just above the eyebrows, at the back along the protruding part of the back of the head.

WHO head circumference chart for girls under 5 years of age

During the first year, the volume of the child’s head increases by an average of 11-12 cm. At this time, the skull converges; the fontanelle completely fuses at the age of 12-18 months. Steady head growth during the first two years indicates normal development of the baby's brain.

Centile table of head circumference for girls under 16 years of age

Girls' head circumferences are indicated in centimeters.

The parameters between the segments “below average” and “above average” are considered indicators characterizing the normal circumference of the child’s head.

Don’t be alarmed if your child’s head circumference does not correspond to the average; this is probably just a physiological feature of your baby.

WHO head circumference chart for boys under 5 years of age

Indicators that fall in the intervals between the “below average” and “above average” segments are considered to be the norm. I would like to add that the tables show the average values ​​to which the pediatrician is trying to adjust us. Therefore, if your baby does not fit into the average, do not worry, each baby is individual, with its own normal weight, height and normal head circumference.

Centile table of head circumference for boys under 16 years of age

Boys' head circumferences are shown in centimeters.

It is worth remembering that these tables show the average values ​​of the child’s development indicators and very often in the clinic pediatricians scare us with the fact that the baby has a very large or, on the contrary, too small head, they begin to refer us to a neurologist and carry out additional manipulations. Often they simply do not take into account the peculiarities of your baby. Perhaps the child has a relative who has a small head. Or the daughter took after her father, and the father also had a large head since childhood, and the baby is already attributed to rickets or other intimidating diagnoses are made.

Baby's abdominal circumference

The circumference of a child’s abdomen is an individually variable value, and the numerical values ​​of its size do little to characterize the characteristics of the child.

The baby's abdominal circumference should usually be slightly smaller than the chest circumference. If your abdominal circumference is noticeably larger than your chest circumference, try measuring your abdominal circumference in the morning before eating. If the abdominal circumference is still larger than the chest circumference, consult your pediatrician; this is probably just a physiological feature of your child.

In most children, abdominal circumference increases as a result of increased gas formation in the intestines. A swollen abdomen is clearly visible when the child lies on his back. In children over one and a half years old, the stomach should not normally rise above the ribs when lying on their back. In order to accurately say whether there are problems with bloating, it is necessary to calculate the Andronescu index. To do this, you need to measure the abdominal circumference, as well as the height of the child in an upright position, then you need to calculate the ratio of the child’s abdominal circumference to his height, expressed in %.

Abdominal circumference is measured using a measuring tape at the widest (convex) point. Normal Andronescu index values ​​after 2 years are 41-42% and 50-52% in children under 1.5 years of age. At the age of 1.5 to 2 years, the Andronescu index should be from 43 to 50%. For example, a child is 4 years old. Abdominal circumference 58 cm, height 104 cm. 58/104 x 100% = 56%, which is above normal, means an increase in abdominal volume, as well as a decrease in growth rate. If a child aged 2 years has an Andronescu index value of 50% or more, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist. If the child is severely overweight, the index is not calculated.

To evaluate your baby’s development, it is not necessary to constantly show him to the doctor. You can also do your part in monitoring your baby's development and tracking his physical growth.

For example, many parents are concerned about the head circumference of a baby in the first year of his life. Indeed, the head is actually the main part of our body. After all, it contains the brain, which controls every process in the body. And perhaps the most important aspect at the beginning of a child’s life is the formation of his head.

Why do this?

It is especially important to monitor the process of head growth for those whose children were injured during childbirth. Every woman knows that during childbirth, which takes place naturally, it is incredibly important to listen to the obstetrician and nurses, to be in some kind of contact with them.

Since it is from incorrect attempts that injuries to the child’s skull most often occur. And since his bones are still too fragile and vulnerable, this can leave an indelible mark on his future health and life.

In today's article we will talk about how to measure the head circumference of your child, and how to determine whether there are any pathologies or disorders in the process of its development.

So, what should you know about baby's head size by month?

Baby's head volume: everything you need to know about normal parameters

A normal head volume indicates that the baby is developing well and systematically. Deviations from the norm in this case may indicate serious pathologies - microcephaly and hydrocephalus. However, most often such fluctuations are caused rather genetically and physiologically, that is, they are an individual characteristic of the baby. Therefore, doctors have created a special table that indicates head growth on a monthly basis. But if previously there was only one value, now the norm column contains impressive ranges.

• You need to measure your baby's head every month. This is usually done by your doctor at your traditional monthly checkup. Along with this parameter, the pediatrician checks both the height and body weight of the newborn. But if you do not have the opportunity to regularly show your child to a pediatrician, you should do all the manipulations listed above, and be sure to record the results in order to monitor the dynamics.
• The first measurement of the baby's head occurs immediately after birth. At this time, the circumference should be approximately 32-35 centimeters. Over the course of a year, a child on average gains up to 12-15 centimeters in head volume, and here everything depends on the genetic characteristics of the structure of the skull, the sex of the baby and other features of its development.
• Despite the fact that the volume of the head grows by 12 centimeters per year on average, he doesn't gain an inch every month. Its growth peaks at three or four months of age. During this period, the head grows most actively. Until this moment, the volume will increase by about 1.5-2 centimeters, and by this age it will be about 40 centimeters.
• During the same period, the chest circumference will become equal to the chest circumference. Further, the growth of the first will decline and gradually slow down, while the growth of the second, on the contrary, will continue in an intensive mode. Later, the child's chest will become much wider than his head - the way it should look in adulthood.

The normal size of a child's head at 6 months is approximately 43 centimeters.

To determine normal growth rates, it is enough to subtract one and a half centimeters per month from this value. For example, a baby's head size at five months will be 41.5 centimeters.

For example:

The head size parameter for a three-month-old baby will be 38.5 centimeters (that is, 43 - 1.5 - 1.5 - 1.5). The same applies to the size of the head of a two-month-old baby, if you subtract another centimeter and a half.

And if we talk about the size of the head of a seven-month-old child, here we should add 50 millimeters to the six-month average. For example, if at the age of six months the circumference was “ideal” 43 centimeters, then in the next month this value will not fluctuate much and will be only 43.5 centimeters.

Average parameters

If we talk about averaged indicators by month, we get something like this:

• Newborn children – 34-35 cm;
• Menstruation – 36-37 cm;
• Two months - 38-39 cm;
• Three months - 40-41 cm;
• Four months - 42-43 cm;
• Half-year-olds – 43-44 cm;
• One-year-olds – 46-47 cm.

The lower threshold is more typical for girls, and the upper threshold for boys. You cannot focus solely on these indicators, since individuality should not be written off. Each person is unique in nature from birth, which means that minor fluctuations from the norm are still possible.

If the volumes of your baby’s skull do not coincide with generally accepted ones, there is no need to sound the alarm and engage in self-diagnosis using search engines on the Internet. If you are really concerned about the development of such severe pathologies as hydrocephalus and microcephaly, show your baby to the doctor.

It is advisable to do this in cases where the volume grows too slowly, or, conversely, too quickly. Here it is important to focus not even on the size itself, but on how correctly or incorrectly the growth factor is progressing.

You should not forget how your baby was born. For example, if you did not carry him to term, it is quite obvious that his head will be smaller than that of a full-term baby. In addition, a premature baby will also gain volume more slowly than a healthy and strong “hero.” In post-term babies, the head may be wider immediately after birth (that is, reach a volume of more than 35 centimeters), but they gain weight in the same way as ordinary children.

If there were head injuries to the newborn during delivery, this point also cannot be written off. And this applies not only to serious injuries, but also to seemingly “harmless” hematomas and swelling.

How to determine deviations from the norm?

It happens that the current volumes of the head do not correspond at all to those accepted as average and “ideal”. In this case, the first thing you should find out is how things went with this for you and the baby’s father. If one of the parents has a head in "tender age" was less or more than is generally accepted, it is likely that such a physiological feature is inherited by the child. Overall, there is no cause for concern here, although you should still be wary.

If nothing like this was noted in the family history (or your parents did not particularly monitor such parameters and did not save any information about them), you should still show the child to the doctor and diagnose the cause of this deviation. It is possible that there are some problems that are important to differentiate in a timely manner in order to begin adequate treatment.

It is also important to ensure that the volume of the head does not exceed the volume of the chest, except when they are compared in these indicators.

There is cause for real concern if the parameters of your baby’s head differ greatly from the generally accepted ones, and he also has any neurological disorders that an attentive mother simply cannot fail to notice.

Keep an eye on your child's appearance. If, in addition to the large volume of the head, he has a divergence of the seams on it, enlargement of the fontanelles, protrusion of a pronounced venous network, a massive forehead - it is likely that hydrocephalus really exists. With this severe pathology, fluid accumulates in the baby’s brain. It is important to urgently show him to a pediatrician and neurologist in order to prescribe suitable therapy as early as possible.

Microcephaly manifests itself in the opposite way, although the same neurological disorders occur. But at the same time, the fontanelles, on the contrary, seem to be “closed”, too small, and the forehead is sloping and low. Both diagnoses are confirmed or refuted after ultrasound diagnostics. Your baby may also have to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan.

How to measure the head correctly?

If the volume of your baby's head does not coincide with the generally accepted volume, you should think about whether you are measuring it correctly?

When a baby is born, he is observed every month by specialists who record his height, weight, and head. All these indicators are recorded by a pediatrician and compared with existing standards. The baby's month by month must meet certain standards. According to accepted standards, a child’s head should grow by 10 centimeters in a year.

If the child achieves this result, it will be possible to say for sure that he is developing normally. This kind of observation is carried out only up to a year, since the rapid development of body volumes slows down by the year. Such an indicator as per month becomes irrelevant by two or three years.

Head size and shape

At birth and normal development, all children have almost the same head volume. The only thing that can distinguish them is the shape of the head, which was acquired by the child in the process; newborns may have the following skull shape:

• elongated, oval, vaguely reminiscent of a tower;
• more rounded, with characteristic bumps near the forehead.

Both head shapes are normal. When born, the baby has very fragile bones, so during the birthing process, the head is slightly deformed under pressure. A few months after birth, she acquires normal shape.

What are the differences in head size between girls and boys?

At birth, boys and girls have almost the same head volume. On average, this figure is 34-35 centimeters. This head circumference is typical for all full-term babies. But with each month of development, boys' heads become larger.

Changes in size in the first months

A child (1 month) has a head size that is one and a half centimeters larger than in the first days after birth. This is considered normal. In general, no specialist can say that a child’s head should be exactly that many centimeters, since each child grows and develops according to its own individual indicators.

There are situations when deviations from the norm in the development of a child’s head circumference are his individual feature. After all, every organism is unique. Therefore, during the year there may be months when the baby grows a little less or more than the norm suggests. There is no need to worry about this. Before the doctor speaks about a possible deviation from standard indicators, he will first observe for several months.

Therefore, any table with head circumference standards is only a guideline that doctors adhere to, but they can say for sure that the baby’s head is too large or too small only after appropriate observation. Since if the deviation parameters exceed 2-3 centimeters, then this is already a reason to react in time.

How does a child's head circumference change?

According to generally accepted standards, the size of a child’s head should increase to one and a half centimeters over the months. This intense growth slows down by six months. When a child is six months old, the doctor observes an increase in head circumference by half a centimeter every month during normal development. By the age of one year, growth slows down significantly, and the doctor will observe changes only once a year.

It does not stop, he is periodically examined by a pediatrician, but only once a year, since there will no longer be such a hyper jump in the parameters as before. But if parents are very concerned about the child and his development, then they can always take all the necessary measurements themselves.

Table with norms of growth and development

Now, thanks to modern achievements, if desired, any parent can independently control all age standards. If mom and dad once again want to make sure that the baby is growing as expected, then every month before visiting the doctor they can take the measurements themselves. Many experts also recommend that parents monitor the development of their child.

For convenience and comparison of the parameters of a particular child with standard indicators, a table was created. It shows the size of the child's head by month. The table is quite simple and easy to use.

To take measurements you will need a special soft tape with markings in centimeters. Measure the baby's head through the line of the eyebrows, drawing the tape to the back of the head.

But if a parent is concerned whether his baby is growing correctly, he should first consult with the pediatrician. If deviations are identified, only he will be able to detect the cause of abnormal development and prescribe the necessary treatment.

What you should pay attention to

The third and sixth months are considered control months. The size of the baby's head (3 months) will increase by an average of 6-8 centimeters compared to the original circumference. For example: the average head circumference of a three-month-old baby is 40 centimeters. Moreover, a boy’s circumference may be 1-2 centimeters larger than a girl’s.

The head size of a 5-month-old child will increase by another 1-2 centimeters. For boys it will be about 41.5, and for girls - 41 centimeters.

Head growth is a very important indicator, as the brain and nervous system are formed. Therefore, you should remember or write down the parameters of the newborn, so that you can then base your observations on them.

To avoid various deviations, doctors advise every mother to adhere to a regimen: take daily walks outside, breastfeed and create a friendly environment. The child should feel safe and surrounded by love.

Of course, any changes in growth or deviations from generally accepted tables, which indicate the size of a child’s head by month, are a reason for concern. But there is no need to panic right away. First of all, the specialist observing the child will make sure of this, then special tests and analyzes will be carried out, and only after that we can talk about violations.

Every month, at an appointment with a pediatrician, the main indicators of the normal development of a child from birth to one year are measured. Important values ​​include height, weight, head and chest circumference. These numbers make it possible for the doctor to adjust the care of the baby and, if necessary, refer him for additional examination.

Parents can purchase scales, a stadiometer and learn how to take measurements themselves. For a healthy baby there is no such need; a routine examination by a doctor is enough for him. However, you need to know which head circumference values ​​for a newborn are normal and which are not in order to seek specialist advice in time.

Head size and shape in children

A newborn baby's head size is disproportionately large, which is visible to the naked eye. It makes up a third or fourth of the total body length. For an adult, the ratio will be different - one eighth or one tenth. At the same time, the skull in children continues to grow up to 17 years in proportion to the body.

The normal shape of the skull of a newborn baby is round; slight changes are possible, which quickly disappear with proper care. Babies born by caesarean section do not have deformities, because they do not pass through the birth canal.

When examining a child’s skull in the maternity hospital, a specialist will pay attention to its shape, symmetry and size. The oblong, elongated shape becomes such as a result of childbirth. This feature is considered normal up to a certain point and disappears without outside help. Also, the baby may have minor soft bumps and hematomas, which he acquires during the process of his birth. They go away on their own and do not bother the child in the future.

It is important to feel the baby's head. The specialist evaluates the integrity of the cranial bones, their density, and the absence of pain on palpation. The sutures of the skull and fontanelles must be inspected; their softening cannot be missed.

If there are minor changes, doctors will recommend that the mother turn the baby from one side to the other more often so that he does not remain in one position for a long time. Gradually, the shape of the skull will return to normal and will grow proportionally: the bones are still very pliable and can be easily corrected without medical intervention.

What should be the size of a child's head by age? There are generally accepted medical indicators of head circumference in children under one year old, broken down by month. They depend not only on the age, but also on the gender of the baby.

For girls:

For boys:

In the tables, head circumference indicators are given in centimeters. These values ​​were developed by WHO (World Health Organization) and are used by pediatricians in our and other countries. Normally, in the first months the head should increase in volume by 1.5-2 cm. Starting from 4 months, the growth will be less - about 1 cm. From 6 months, an increase of 0.5 cm is considered normal.

After a year, the size of the baby’s head is no longer measured every month, because its growth becomes insignificant. During the first year of life, the volume of the head should grow by 10-12 cm.

Minor deviations from the given indicators may not indicate a developmental anomaly, but be an individual norm. If the pediatrician does not register the pathology, then most likely there are no violations. For reassurance, parents can visit another specialist.

When measuring the volume of a newborn’s head, the pediatrician must take into account the factor of prematurity. Premature newborns have a large head.

Why do you need to measure your head size every month?

From the first years of life, children come under the close supervision of doctors. This is very important for the early detection of diseases and developmental disorders. For a specialist, the circumference of the skull and chest and their correspondence to the child’s age are of great importance. These indicators may indicate a disease or congenital pathology. Head measurements allow you to find out whether the brain is developing correctly and whether there are deviations in the functioning of the central nervous system. These data are correlated with other possible symptoms of the disease and general health.

Control and indicative measurements are those taken at the ages of 3 and 6 months. The pediatrician enters the measurement results into a special table and each time checks them with the WHO norm tables. If a pathology is suspected, he will refer the baby for additional examination or an appointment with a specialist, usually a neurologist or orthopedist. From 2-3 years, such measurements will no longer be so informative, so they are carried out less frequently.

What are the differences in head size between girls and boys?

The head circumference of a newborn boy is practically no different from that of a girl. As boys grow and develop, they begin to get ahead of their peers, and their normal indicators will be higher.

Heredity must also be taken into account - some boys are born small and with a small head, like their parents. Girls, on the contrary, are quite large, which does not necessarily indicate the development of pathology in them. When assessing the baby’s health, the pediatrician takes into account his individuality and genetics.

Technique for measuring head circumference

To obtain a reliable result, you must correctly measure your head circumference. A special technique has been developed for this, which includes the following steps:

• you need to place the child on a horizontal surface, preferably during sleep or in a calm state;
• Using a soft measuring tape, measure the circumference of the skull through the frontal and occipital protuberances, using the brow ridges as a guide.

It will be easier for a newborn baby to take measurements, because at 5-6 months the baby will most likely be fidgeting and crying. The mother needs to calm the baby so that he remains motionless at the time of measurement.

Measuring the circumference of a child's head must be carried out as accurately as possible; for a baby, even 1-2 millimeters matter. It is necessary to ensure that the tape does not twist or fit too tightly. It is advisable to carry out measurements with the same centimeter tape from the same doctor. This will avoid distorting the result.

What can deviations indicate?

Minor deviations from accepted norms for head volume for a newborn are acceptable. Parents should be concerned when the head grows disproportionately in size, has an unnatural shape, or is seriously different in size.

It is better to consult with another specialist if the local doctor does not see any abnormalities, but there are doubts about the normal development of the child.

Deviations in the shape of the head may indicate rickets or hydrocephalus. They are characterized by a bulge in the frontal or occipital parts. The diagnosis of rickets is usually made in babies at 3-4 months. It disrupts the development of bone tissue. A child's skeleton cannot form correctly because the necessary calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D are poorly absorbed. Rickets can be detected by the following symptoms: poor healing or swelling of the fontanelle, bulging forehead, disproportionate head growth, protrusion of the abdomen, etc.

With hydrocephalus, dropsy of the brain, increased intracranial pressure and neurological disorders develop. Pathology can be suspected when the size of the head is 3-4 cm larger than normal, the fontanel is enlarged, the frontal bone protrudes, the pattern of veins is visible on the head, the baby is restless and often cries. Usually this is a congenital pathology that causes a lot of suffering to the child, but in the early stages it can be successfully treated.

An enlarged or small skull is a sign of macrocephaly or, conversely, microcephaly. Microcephaly leads to delayed brain growth and, as a result, mental retardation. Skull enlargement is also accompanied by mental retardation and has an extremely unfavorable prognosis. A large head is characteristic of increased intracranial pressure.

Sometimes serious trauma to the skull occurs during childbirth, and the tissues of the head swell. This happens when a woman in labor does not comply with the obstetrician's requirements or gives birth on her own, as well as during an emergency caesarean section. The baby's bones are severely compressed and deformed. Timely treatment eliminates pathological changes, and in the future the child can live a full life. Usually, all disorders in such children disappear without a trace by the age of one year.

It is very important to regularly visit your local doctor in the first months of your child’s life and take all the necessary measurements. You should carefully consider the treatment and examinations prescribed by your pediatrician. If a disease is detected in time, it is easier to eliminate it, and precious time will not be lost.