Considerations: A 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
What to expect at your health care provider's office: The health care provider will take a medical history and will perform a physical examination .
Medical history questions may include:
- Time pattern
- When did you first notice that the baby's head seemed large?
- Does the baby's head size seem to be increasing faster in proportion to the growth of the body?
- Location
- Does the head seem larger all over?
- Is the head growing more in a front-to-back pattern or in a side-to-side pattern?
- Other
- What other symptoms are present (especially changes in brain or nervous system functions)?
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.
