1Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar-143001, India
2Department of Paediatrics, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar-143001, India
3Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College Amritsar-143001, India
*Email: doctor_neeru_preet@yahoo.com
Online published on 30 May, 2012.
Determination of head circumference is essential in neonatal assessment in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Nowadays, it has been proved that head circumference can predict specific diseases in adulthood. Head circumferences of the infants differ depending upon race, socio-economic status, sex and nutritional status and so on.
Deviations from normal head growth may be the first indication of an underlying congenital, genetic, or acquired problem. The earlier these conditions are detected, the earlier appropriate treatment, services, and genetic counselling can be provided.
Measurements of head circumference were made on five hundred infants of gestational age more than thirty seven weeks, age six weeks and weight 3500 grams were subjects of this study.
The head circumference, in the present study, of the combined males and females was in the range of 35.9–39.5 cm. Head circumference in males was in the range of 36.0–39.5 cm and in females it was in the range of 35.9–38.5 cm.
The mean Head circumference in the male subjects was slightly higher than that in females in the present study.
Anthropometry, Head circumference, Measurement, Neonatal
