Medical Health Encyclopedia

Increased head circumference

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Skull of a newborn

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Increased head circumference

Definition:

Increased head circumference is present when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than expected for the age and background of the child.

Alternative Names:
Macrocephaly

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Considerations:

As a rule of thumb, 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 intracranial pressure (increased pressure within the head) often accompanies increased head circumference. Symptoms associated with this condition include vomiting, eyes deviating downward, and irritability.

See also bulging fontanelles.

Common Causes:

• Hydrocephalus (congenital, post-traumatic, or obstructive)
• Canavan disease
• Hurler syndrome
• Morquio syndrome
• Benign familial macrocephaly (family tendency toward large head size)
• Intracranial bleeding

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