Child's head circumference by age

The size of the baby's head circumference from 0 to 36 months old is one of the important parameters that mothers need to pay attention to to monitor the comprehensive development of their children.

Head circumference, or occipital circumference, is a measurement of a child's head by measuring across the front brow, on the sides of the ears, and across the posterior occipital ridge.
When taking care of a newborn, most parents only focus on measuring the child's height and weight, but often do not pay attention to measuring the baby's head circumference. Meanwhile, the infant's head circumference is one of the important parameters to monitor as it provides markers to assess the baby's brain development each month.

Based on observing the growth of the child's head circumference, parents can know whether the child's growth status is standard or not, this indicator is normal or abnormal.
2.1 What is the normal head circumference? The growth rate of babies after birth is extremely fast. With the naked eye, parents can recognize the change of their children day by day. Baby's head circumference is the same:
From the 20th week of pregnancy until the baby is 3 years old, the baby's brain will begin to develop strongly. 75% of brain development occurs between birth and toddlerhood: A baby's brain weight is 350 grams at birth, 1,000 grams at 1 year, and 1,200 grams at 2 years. By adulthood the human brain stands at only 1,250 grams in women and 1,400 grams in men. Head circumference growth milestones: on average, a newborn's head circumference will reach between 34-35 cm. Between 0-3 months, your baby's head circumference will increase by about 2cm per month. Between 4-6 months of age, the head circumference will increase steadily by 1cm/month. Then, at about 6-12 months of age, this measurement will increase by 0.5cm/month. During the first 6 months of life, the circumference of the baby's head will be about 2cm larger than the chest. From 6 to 24 months old, the two indicators of the baby's head and chest circumference will be in the same state. After two years, on the contrary, the baby's head circumference will be smaller than the chest.

2.2 Child's Head Circumference Abnormal Development A Child's Head Circumference Abnormal Development is when it is observed that the baby's head circumference is not growing rapidly or is not within a safe range. Head circumference is much larger or smaller than the average child.
The baby's head circumference does not grow normally leading to serious problems:
An abnormally large head circumference can be caused by congenital or hydrocephalus. Congenital hydrocephalus leads to the baby's eyes roll back, growth retardation and enlarged fontanel. A smaller-than-average head circumference can be a sign that the brain is not developing well or even stops growing. Small head circumference can be caused by brain abnormalities, fetal pathology, brain sequelae that cause brain underdevelopment... Measuring head circumference is a safe health check to promptly monitor the health of the baby. baby's development. Therefore, you need to measure the baby's head circumference regularly until your baby turns 3 years old. If the baby's head circumference does not increase within 2 months, the mother should take the baby to the doctor for careful monitoring.

Below is the average head circumference size index for babies from 0 to 36 months old. Please use it to check and evaluate the development of the baby's head circumference.
0 months old – 34.8 cm 3 months old – 40 cm 6 months old – 42.4 cm 12 months old – 45 cm 15 months old – 45.8 cm 18 months old – 46.5 cm 21 month old – 47 cm 24 months old – 47.5 cm 27 months old – 47.8 cm 30 months old – 48.2 cm 33 months old – 48.4 cm 36 months old – 48.6 cm

At home, you can measure your baby's head circumference yourself by doing the following:
Wrap an elastic band around the widest part of your baby's forehead, just above the ear and the midpoint of the back of the head. Take such regular measurements once a month on a fixed day. If the baby's head circumference index is out of the safe range, the mother should take the child to see a specialist to be carefully monitored for any abnormalities in the next few months and take timely intervention measures. You should take your baby to a pediatric multi-specialty medical facility so that he can be accurately examined and treated most effectively. Vinmec is one of the few hospitals in Vietnam with full specialties of cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, nutrition... specializing in pediatrics. As a key area of ​​Vinmec Medical system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All are well-trained, professional, with a mind - range, understanding young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.