The size of the head of the newborn: a monthly measurement
size of the newborn's head is as important as the height and weight of the child.It is also necessary to pay attention to the shape of the head, which will depend on how the labor in women.In some pathological conditions the size and shape of the skull of the newborn are not correct.Therefore, it is important to regularly measure the circumference of the head as the child grows.
shape and head size at birth
Almost all children are born with swelling Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause of head, which many called birth trauma Birth injuries - than they threaten your child? .The latter is usually more pronounced on the background of discrepancy between the size of the fetal head and pelvis woman.This is a normal phenomenon that takes place on their own within a few days and does not require treatment.
When the baby passes through the birth canal of women, is experiencing some pressure from their side.The bones of the skull of the newborn have not fused with each other and may be slightly shifted.This greatly reduces the risk of damage.The shape of the skull is normal after birth may be:
- Dolihotsefalicheskoy that is elongated-oval;
- brachycephalic, or round with distinct frontal tubercles.
Children who were born via caesarean section, the shape and size of the head have their own characteristics.The volume and head circumference in these infants will be somewhat greater than that of children who have passed through the birth canal.These features are stored up to one year of age.The head of a child born as a result of this surgery has a more regular shape.
Immediately after birth the child can not hold their own head.Because of this, she throws back the first few weeks of his life.
Usually newborn head circumference is 35 to 37 centimeters.Normally, may be minor fluctuations in the indicator in a smaller or larger side.The emergence of a significant deviation could contribute to a lot of reasons.
Pathological changes in the shape and size of the head of newborn
hydrocephalus - a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in large quantities in the ventricles of the brain due to a violation of its circulation.Such a condition may be congenital or acquired during the first months of life.
In most cases, the child has hydrocephalus due to infectious diseases carried over the mother, for example, caused by cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus - what is its danger? .As a result of increased production of cerebrospinal fluid, or broken his circulation.Acquired hydrocephalus may develop due to:
- head injuries.
due to violation of the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid is increased intracranial pressure intracranial pressure - if you have a headache .This condition is called hypertension-hydrocephalic syndrome.The accelerated growth of the head - the most characteristic feature of his.Skull increases in volume, changing its shape, noticeable bulging fontanelle busy.Hydrocephalus can cause loss of vision, hearing, gross neurological disorders and reduced intellectual ability.
Reducing the size of the brain and the skull called microcephaly.The remaining part of the body of the child at the same time have standard sizes.
microcephaly, is usually accompanied by intellectual retardation, the degree of which may vary.The small size of the head can be associated with:
- Transferred intrauterine infections (rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, toxoplasmosis);
- hereditary diseases (Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and others);
- fetal alcohol syndrome.
How does the shape of the head and its size with an increase in child
to month on their own healthy child holds his head and much less throws it back.The shape of the head is more correct.Size skull continues to increase, and that age is greater by about 3 cm compared to the size of the head immediately after birth.
In two months the head is much more even.Its diameter is increased by 2 centimeters.In three months, the child keeps his head well, not throws back her confidence and can rotate it.During this period its circumference becomes greater than about one centimeter.
By six months to exceed the diameter of the head the same size after the birth of about 8-10 centimeters.Proportions head reduced compared to the whole body size and its shape becomes more correct.
In the second half of the child's head size increases by about half a centimeter each month.For one year head circumference should be larger than the diameter of the head of the newborn at 10-12 centimeters.Typically, this amount is from 45 to 48 centimeters.
How to measure the circumference of the head
Measure the amount of the child's head can be on their own.It is recommended to do this every week and record the result in a separate notebook.Preferably, the measurement takes one and the same person.
For the procedure required soft tape measure with clearly visible markings on it.The child should be put on the table, sofa, bed or couch.It is important that during the procedure the newborn did not cry and did not cry.Otherwise, you can get unreliable results.
During measurement tape with centimeter graduations should be held on the most protruding portions of the child's head.It is applied behind the most remote point on the back of his head, and in front is located at brow.
Doctors have a table, which shows the average size of the newborn's head for months is normal.When comparing these figures with the values of it can be seen that the development of the child passes successfully, or conversely, to suspect the presence of any pathology.
size of the head of a newborn baby - an important indicator of its development.Therefore, it must be regularly measured and compared with the average normal values.