Determination of chest and head circumference is carried out to assess the physical development of a person, mainly in childhood, as well as to identify certain diseases associated with the respiratory system. The correct algorithm for taking measurements is carried out by a doctor, his assistant or a nurse using special equipment and appropriate devices. Lung volume is measured using a spirometer.
Measuring chest circumference in adult men and women
The chest circumference is measured using a measuring tape in a standing position. The person must be at rest. To do this, the chest is freed from outer clothing, preferably also underwear, in order to obtain the most accurate measurement. The correct application of the measuring tape should be along the lower edge of the shoulder blades on the back side and along the level of the 4th rib in front. If you look at external signs, then in men this parameter is measured at the level of the nipples, and in women at the base of the mammary glands or under them. Proper application of the tape should be snug, but without excessive tension. It is laid in a strictly horizontal position. In an adult, upon reaching a certain age, the development and growth of the chest stops. Changes can only occur if there are pathological processes in the patient’s body.
For children in the first year of life, this procedure is mandatory; it allows us to determine the individual characteristics and level of physical development of the child for his age.
It is worth noting that usually the average chest circumference in men and boys is 5 cm higher than in women and girls. However, there are a number of reasons that can affect the spread of these values, as a result of which it may turn out that the chest of a woman or girl has high indicators, and this will also be the norm, without any associated pathologies.
Together with the chest circumference, the head circumference is measured. The child is seated on a chair or laid down. At the back, the measuring tape is located along the maximum protrusion of the occipital protuberance, at the front - along the superciliary arches. The growth of the chest occurs especially rapidly in the first years of a child’s life and is highly dependent on body weight. During the first 12 months of life, the size of a newborn's chest will increase by an average of 13 centimeters, which is equal to 50% of the growth in body length over the same period of time. In babies, chest circumference is measured in a supine position. This approach applies to children who are at least 2 years old.
There are average values for changes in chest and head circumference. Anthropometric data are calculated for men and women from birth to adulthood:
| Age | Chest circumference in boys, cm | % from body length | Head circumference for boys, cm | % of body length | Chest circumference in girls, cm | % of body length | Head circumference in girls, cm | % of body length |
| At the time of birth | 33 | 68 | 36 | 68 | 31 | 66 | 35 | 67 |
| 1 month | 35 | 66 | 37 | 66 | 34 | 65 | 36 | 67 |
| 2 months | 37 | 66 | 38 | 66 | 36 | 65 | 37 | 68 |
| 3 months | 38 | 66 | 41 | 65 | 37 | 65 | 39 | 68 |
| 6 months | 42 | 64 | 43 | 65 | 40 | 64 | 41 | 65 |
| 9 months | 44 | 64 | 45 | 63 | 43 | 64 | 44 | 64 |
| 1 year | 45 | 62 | 46 | 62 | 46 | 63 | 45 | 61 |
| 2 years | 50 | 58 | 47 | 56 | 51 | 60 | 46 | 56 |
| 3 years | 51 | 55 | 49 | 51 | 51 | 58 | 47 | 52 |
| 4 years | 52 | 51 | 50 | 50 | 53 | 56 | 49 | 50 |
| 5 years | 54 | 51 | 51 | 46 | 54 | 53 | 50 | 47 |
| 6 years | 56 | 49 | 52 | 44 | 56 | 52 | 51 | 43 |
| 7 years | 57 | 47 | 53 | 42 | 58 | 50 | 51 | 42 |
| 8 years | 58 | 46 | 53 | 40 | 59 | 47 | 51 | 44 |
| 9 years | 60 | 46 | 54 | 39 | 62 | 49 | 51 | 45 |
| 10 years | 63 | 45 | 54 | 39 | 63 | 48 | 52 | 40 |
| 11 years | 65 | 45 | 54 | 38 | 67 | 48 | 53 | 37 |
| 12 years | 67 | 46 | 55 | 36 | 70 | 48 | 53 | 35 |
| 13 years | 70 | 47 | 55 | 35 | 75 | 48 | 54 | 34 |
| 14 years | 75 | 47 | 55 | 34 | 77 | 49 | 54 | 33 |
| Adult | 88 | 50 | 56 | 33 | 83 | 50 | 55 | 32 |
Leveling can occur either upward or downward. During an appointment at the doctor's office, chest excursion is measured. This is done by subtracting the exhalation values from the inhalation values. Normally, it ranges from 5 to 10 cm. Deviations from it may raise questions about lung problems. People involved in sports may also have increased values between the upper and lower values by 3-5 centimeters. A general increase in lung volume is observed in professional athletes and can significantly exceed the average value of up to 30% or more.
The vital capacity of the lungs is a functional indicator that determines the capabilities of the human respiratory system. Measurements are taken using a medical device (spirometer). A person stands exactly on a horizontal surface and exhales with maximum force into the spirometer mouthpiece. A total of 3 such measurements are carried out for a more accurate result. The indicators are added and divided by the resulting figure. The measurement accuracy is rounded to 100 cm³.
Determination of lung volume
To evaluate the obtained indicators, use the Ludwig formula:
- Calculation for men: vital capacity = 40*height (cm)+30*weight (kg) -4400;
- Calculation for women: vital capacity = 40*height (cm)+10*weight (kg) -3800.
For the formula, you can use the indicators from the table:
| Weight, kg | Height, cm | ||||
| 160 | 170 | 180 | 190 | 200 | |
| 50 | 3000 | 3300 | 3600 | 3900 | 4200 |
| 60 | 3300 | 3600 | 3900 | 4200 | 4500 |
| 70 | 3600 | 3900 | 4200 | 4500 | 4800 |
| 80 | 3900 | 4200 | 4500 | 4800 | 5100 |
| 90 | 4200 | 4500 | 4800 | 5100 | 4400 |
| 100 | 4500 | 4800 | 5100 | 5400 | 5800 |
With age, deviations occur towards a decrease in lung volume, including due to a decrease in the level of activity compared to young people.
Bottom line
Chest circumference, volume and excursion are directly related to the level of physical development of a person and is the most important indicator of health, but there is a reasonable limit to everything and it is worth sticking to the golden mean so as not to injure yourself with excessive loads or their complete absence.
The chest circumference is measured in infants in a lying position, in older children - in a standing position. The child should be at rest, arms down. The beginning of the measuring tape should be in the left hand from the side of the armpit, from behind the tape is held at the angle of the shoulder blades, and from the front - along the lower edge of the nipple areola.
Chest circumference (as well as body weight) gives an idea of the harmony of physical development.
How to use the table:
If you know the child’s height, you need to use another table (chest circumference according to height), which takes into account individual characteristics. The table given on this page is more suitable for approximate determination of the normal chest circumference of a child of average height.
If the child's height is unknown, use the following instructions.
1. Find the line that corresponds to the approximate age of the child.For example, if the child is 2 months and 14 days old, then you need to look in the line, but if he is 2 months and 16 days old, then you need to look in the line. Also, if the child turns 12 years old in 4 months, then you need to look for the line.
2. Determine between which values in this line the child’s chest circumference lies.
- Normal chest circumference the child should be between the green and blue values (25-75 centiles) - such a circle corresponds to the harmonious development of a child of this age.
- The chest circumference, which is between the yellow and green values (10-25 centiles), is also normal, but indicates a tendency towards disharmonious development due to a narrowing of the chest.
- The chest circumference, which is between the blue and yellow values (75-90 centiles), is also normal, but indicates a tendency towards disharmonious development due to expansion of the chest.
- The chest circumference, which is between the red and yellow values, is small (3-10th centile) or increased (90-97th centile). In this case, it is necessary to check your body weight using a more accurate
Below is a calculator for calculating the baby's chest circumference.
Enter the child's gender, age and chest circumference value, click the "Show result" button and see a comparison of your child's indicator with the standard encyclopedic normal.
But we know that this is just a comparative characteristic and nothing more. There is no longer any need to look at many tables and look for the required indicator among a huge number of numbers, it still doesn’t mean much, it’s better to spend this time with your loved ones.
If you care about the health of your child and want to find out how much his height, weight, chest circumference corresponds to the average values, you can use our other calculators:
Chest circumference is measured in infants in a supine position, and in older children in a standing position. The child should be calm and keep his hands down. A regular, flexible centimeter is suitable for measuring. The measurement is taken at the widest point, approximately in front at the level of the nipples, at the back at the level of the shoulder blades. First, measurements are taken on inhalation, then on exhalation. For comparison, the average chest circumference is taken.
The circumference of the chest, as well as the weight of the child, indicates his physical development.
Chest circumference table for boys from 0 to 17 years old
| Age | Very low | Short | Below the average | Average | Above average | High | Very tall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 31,7 | 32,3 | 33,5 | 34,8 | 36,6 | 36,8 | 37,8 |
| 1 month | 33,3 | 34,1 | 35,2 | 36,5 | 37,9 | 38,9 | 40,2 |
| 2 months | 35,0 | 35,7 | 36,9 | 38,3 | 39,8 | 40,8 | 42,0 |
| 3 months | 36,3 | 36,5 | 37,2 | 38,4 | 39,9 | 41,6 | 42,7 |
| 4 months | 37,9 | 38,6 | 39,8 | 41,4 | 43,4 | 44,6 | 45,9 |
| 5 months | 39,3 | 40,1 | 41,2 | 42,9 | 45,0 | 45,7 | 47,6 |
| 6 months | 40,6 | 41,5 | 42,5 | 44,3 | 46,3 | 47,6 | 49,0 |
| 7 months | 41,7 | 42,5 | 43,6 | 45,5 | 47,5 | 48,9 | 50,1 |
| 8 months | 42,7 | 43,5 | 44,5 | 46,4 | 48,5 | 49,9 | 51,1 |
| 9 months | 43,6 | 44,4 | 45,4 | 47,2 | 49,3 | 50,8 | 52,0 |
| 10 months | 44,3 | 45,1 | 46,1 | 47,9 | 50,0 | 51,4 | 52,8 |
| 11 months | 44,8 | 45,6 | 46,6 | 48,4 | 50,6 | 52,0 | 53,5 |
| 1 year | 45,3 | 46,1 | 47,0 | 48,7 | 51,0 | 52,5 | 54,2 |
| 1 year 3 months | 46,0 | 46,8 | 47,9 | 49,8 | 51,9 | 53,4 | 55,1 |
| 1 year 6 months | 46,5 | 47,4 | 48,6 | 50,4 | 52,4 | 53,9 | 55,6 |
| 1 year 9 months | 47,0 | 47,9 | 49,1 | 50,8 | 52,9 | 54,3 | 56,0 |
| 2 years | 47,6 | 48,4 | 49,5 | 51,4 | 53,2 | 54,7 | 56,4 |
| 2 years 3 months | 47,9 | 48,7 | 49,9 | 51,7 | 53,4 | 55,2 | 56,8 |
| 2 years 6 months | 48,2 | 49,0 | 50,3 | 52,0 | 53,9 | 55,5 | 57,3 |
| 2 years 9 months | 48,4 | 49,3 | 50,5 | 52,3 | 54,2 | 55,8 | 57,7 |
| 3 years | 48,6 | 49,7 | 50,8 | 52,8 | 54,6 | 56,4 | 58,2 |
| 3.5 years | 49,2 | 50,3 | 51,5 | 53,1 | 55,0 | 57,1 | 59,0 |
| 4 years | 50,0 | 51,2 | 52,4 | 53,8 | 55,8 | 58,0 | 59,9 |
| 4.5 years | 50,8 | 52,0 | 53,3 | 54,7 | 56,9 | 59,0 | 61,2 |
| 5 years | 51,3 | 52,8 | 54,0 | 55,6 | 58,0 | 60,0 | 62,6 |
| 5.5 years | 52,2 | 53,5 | 55,0 | 56,6 | 59,1 | 61,3 | 63,7 |
| b years | 53,0 | 54,4 | 56,0 | 57,7 | 60,2 | 62,5 | 65,1 |
| 6.5 years | 53,8 | 55,2 | 57,0 | 58,8 | 61,3 | 63,8 | 66,4 |
| 7 years | 54,6 | 56,2 | 57,9 | 59,8 | 62,3 | 65,1 | 67,9 |
| 8 years | 56,2 | 58,0 | 60,0 | 61,9 | 64,8 | 67,8 | 70,8 |
| 9 years | 57,7 | 59,6 | 61,9 | 64,1 | 67,0 | 70,6 | 73,6 |
| 10 years | 59,3 | 61,4 | 63,8 | 66,4 | 69,8 | 73,6 | 76,8 |
| 11 years | 61,1 | 63,0 | 66,0 | 68,9 | 74,9 | 76,2 | 79,8 |
| 12 years | 62,6 | 65,0 | 68,0 | 71,1 | 72,1 | 79,0 | 82,8 |
| 13 years | 64,7 | 67,3 | 70,2 | 73,5 | 78,2 | 82,1 | 87,0 |
| 14 years | 67,0 | 69,9 | 73,1 | 76,6 | 81,7 | 86,3 | 91,0 |
| 15 years | 70,0 | 72,9 | 76,3 | 80,2 | 85,7 | 90,1 | 94,3 |
| 16 years | 73,3 | 76,2 | 80,0 | 84,5 | 89,9 | 93,6 | 97,0 |
| 17 years | 77,0 | 80,0 | 82,9 | 87,2 | 92,2 | 95,5 | 98,4 |
How to correctly measure the chest circumference of a child
The head circumference of a newly born child is on average larger than the chest circumference.
During the first year, the head circumference increases on average by 11-12 cm. In the first months, the head grows more intensively, and then its growth slows down. In the first months, the newborn’s chest grows faster than the head, so around the 4th month the head and chest circumferences become the same, and per year the chest circumference becomes larger than the head circumference by approximately 2 cm; in the first year it increases by an average of 14 -15 cm.
Subsequently, the baby's head circumference will be smaller than the chest circumference.
Chest circumference table for girls from 0 to 17 years old
| Age | Very low | Short | Below the average | Average | Above average | High | Very tall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 31,0 | 32,0 | 32,8 | 34,0 | 35,2 | 36,0 | 37,0 |
| 1 month | 33,0 | 34,0 | 34,9 | 35,9 | 37,1 | 38,1 | 39,0 |
| 2 months | 34,6 | 35,6 | 36,6 | 37,7 | 38,8 | 39,9 | 40,9 |
| 3 months | 36,3 | 37,3 | 38,3 | 39,4 | 40,5 | 41,4 | 42,8 |
| 4 months | 38,0 | 38,9 | 39,8 | 40,9 | 42,1 | 43,0 | 43,3 |
| 5 months | 39,5 | 40,3 | 41,2 | 42,3 | 43,5 | 44,5 | 45,7 |
| 6 months | 40,7 | 41,6 | 42,4 | 43,5 | 44,7 | 45,8 | 47,1 |
| 7 months | 41,8 | 42,7 | 43,6 | 44,6 | 45,8 | 47,2 | 48,5 |
| 8 months | 42,8 | 43,7 | 44,6 | 45,7 | 46,9 | 48,3 | 49,8 |
| 9 months | 43,6 | 44,5 | 45,5 | 46,6 | 47,8 | 49,3 | 50,9 |
| 10 months | 44,3 | 45,2 | 46,2 | 47,2 | 48,6 | 50,1 | 51,7 |
| 11 months | 45,0 | 45,8 | 46,8 | 47,8 | 49,3 | 50,8 | 52,3 |
| 1 year | 45,5 | 46,3 | 47,2 | 48,3 | 49,9 | 51,4 | 52,8 |
| 1 year 3 months | 46,4 | 47,3 | 48,0 | 49,3 | 50,8 | 52,3 | 53,9 |
| 1 year 6 months | 47,1 | 47,8 | 48,7 | 49,9 | 51,3 | 52,9 | 54,5 |
| 1 year 9 months | 47,5 | 48,2 | 49,1 | 50,4 | 51,9 | 53,5 | 55,0 |
| 2 years | 47,8 | 48,5 | 49,5 | 50,2 | 52,5 | 54,0 | 55,6 |
| 2 years 3 months | 47,9 | 48,8 | 49,8 | 51,3 | 53,0 | 54,5 | 56,2 |
| 2 years 6 months | 48,0 | 49,0 | 50,0 | 51,5 | 53,3 | 54,9 | 56,8 |
| 2 years 9 months | 48,1 | 49,0 | 50,0 | 51,8 | 53,6 | 55,5 | 57,2 |
| 3 years | 48,2 | 49,1 | 50,3 | 51,8 | 53,9 | 56,0 | 57,6 |
| 3.5 years | 48,6 | 49,7 | 50,9 | 52,5 | 54,3 | 56,2 | 57,8 |
| 4 years | 49,2 | 50,4 | 51,6 | 53,2 | 55,1 | 56,9 | 58,6 |
| 4.5 years | 49,6 | 51,0 | 52,3 | 54,0 | 55,8 | 57,8 | 59,7 |
| 5 years | 50,4 | 51,6 | 53,0 | 54,8 | 56,8 | 58,8 | 61,0 |
| 5.5 years | 50,8 | 52,4 | 53,8 | 55,7 | 57,8 | 60,0 | 62,2 |
| b years | 51,5 | 53,0 | 54,7 | 56,6 | 58,8 | 61,2 | 63,6 |
| 6.5 years | 52,3 | 53,8 | 55,5 | 57,5 | 59,8 | 62,4 | 64,7 |
| 7 years | 53,2 | 54,6 | 56,4 | 58,4 | 61,0 | 63,8 | 66,5 |
| 8 years | 54,7 | 56,3 | 58,2 | 60,8 | 64,2 | 67,6 | 70,5 |
| 9 years | 56,3 | 58,0 | 60,0 | 63,4 | 67,7 | 71,4 | 75,1 |
| 10 years | 58,0 | 60,0 | 62,0 | 66,0 | 71,3 | 75,5 | 78,8 |
| 11 years | 59,7 | 62,2 | 64,4 | 68,7 | 74,5 | 78,6 | 82,4 |
| 12 years | 61,9 | 64,5 | 67,1 | 71,6 | 77,6 | 81,9 | 86,0 |
| 13 years | 643 | 66,8 | 69,9 | 74,6 | 80,8 | 85,0 | 88,6 |
| 14 years | 67,0 | 69,8 | 73,0 | 77,8 | 83,6 | 87,6 | 90,9 |
| 15 years | 70,0 | 72,9 | 76,3 | 80,4 | 85,6 | 89,4 | 92,6 |
| 16 years | 73,0 | 75,8 | 78,8 | 82,6 | 87,1 | 90,6 | 93,9 |
| 17 years | 75,4 | 78,0 | 80,6 | 83,8 | 88,0 | 91,0 | 94,5 |
Boys' head circumferences are shown in centimeters.
These tables are indicative in nature for determining the chest circumference of a child of average height. Parameters between the segments “below average” and “above average” are considered indicators characterizing the normal circumference of the child’s chest
A person’s head grows until the age of 17 years and stops at approximately 56 cm (+/- several cm). In young children, the head is disproportionately large compared to the body and is about 1/3-1/4 of height (here we do not mean the circumference of the head, but its height itself). For comparison: in an adult, this ratio is 1/8 - 1/10 of the body.
In addition to weight and height, the circumference of the child’s head and chest is usually also determined (Fig. 10, 11). These measurements give an idea of the harmonious development of the organism.
When measuring your head, the measuring tape should tightly cover it through the occipital protuberance and brow ridges. Chest circumference is measured at nipple level; From behind, the tape is held at the level of the lower angle of the scapula.
The head circumference of a newborn is on average 34-35 cm, the chest circumference is 32-34 cm. During the first year of life, the circumference of both the head and chest increases rapidly.
In a year Head circumference increases by 12 cm, i.e. an average of 1 cm per month. In the first months of life head grows more intensely.
However, during the first year of life the rate chest growth higher, as a result of which at the 3-4th month the value chest and head circumferences becomes the same, and by the year chest circumference exceeds Head circumference on average by 2 cm; per year it increases by 16 cm.
With proper development, by 4-5 months the head circumference becomes equal to the chest circumference, and subsequently the chest circumference exceeds the head circumference.
At the age of 1 year, the head circumference is 46-47 cm; the chest circumference is 48-49 cm. At 5 years, the head circumference is 50 cm, and the chest circumference is 55 cm.
Subsequently, in a healthy child chest circumference there will always be more head circumference.
Doctors measure children's head circumference to see if the child's head circumference continues to increase at a normal rate. Naturally, the size of a child's head is influenced by heredity - some people simply have large heads, some, on the contrary, not so much. But a deviation from normal head circumference in a one-year-old child deserves attention. It is important to exclude disorders indicated by a head that is too large (macrocephaly and hydrocephalus) or too small (microcephaly).
Physical development is understood as the intensity of increase in the child’s height, weight, head and chest circumference. If the child has a small head size, then the increase in head volume in such children will be more intense.
Table of typical children's measurements according to Ptenert, Heine
| Age | Head circumference | Chest circumference | Age | Head circumference | Chest circumference | ||||
| cm | % body length | cm | % body length | cm | % body length | cm | % body length | ||
| Boys | Girls | ||||||||
| Up to 1 month | 35 | 69 | 34 | 67 | Up to 1 month | 34 | 68 | 33 | 66 |
| 1 month | 37 | 69 | 36 | 67 | 1 month | 36 | 68 | 35 | 66 |
| 2 months | 39 | 68 | 38 | 66 | 2 months | 38 | 68 | 37 | 66 |
| 3 months | 41 | 67 | 39 | 64 | 3 months | 40 | 68 | 38 | 64 |
| 6 months | 44 | 65 | 43 | 63 | 6 months | 43 | 65 | 42 | 64 |
| 9 months | 46 | 64 | 45 | 63 | 9 months | 45 | 64 | 44 | 63 |
| 1 year | 47 | 63 | 47 | 63 | 1 year | 46 | 62 | 47 | 63 |
| 2 years | 49 | 57 | 51 | 59 | 2 years | 48 | 56 | 50 | 58 |
| 3 years | 50 | 52 | 52 | 54 | 3 years | 49 | 52 | 51 | 54 |
| 4 years | 51 | 50 | 53 | 51 | 4 years | 50 | 50 | 52 | 51 |
| 5 years | 51 | 47 | 55 | 50 | 5 years | 50 | 47 | 53 | 49 |
| 6 years | 51 | 45 | 57 | 49 | 6 years | 50 | 44 | 55 | 48 |
| 7 years | 52 | 43 | 58 | 48 | 7 years | 51 | 43 | 57 | 48 |
| 8 years | 52 | 41 | 59 | 47 | 8 years | 51 | 41 | 59 | 47 |
| 9 years | 52 | 40 | 61 | 47 | 9 years | 61 | 39 | 61 | 47 |
| 10 years | 52 | 38 | 64 | 47 | 10 years | 51 | 38 | 63 | 48 |
| 11 years | 53 | 38 | 66 | 46 | 11 years | 52 | 37 | 66 | 48 |
| 12 years | 53 | 37 | 68 | 47 | 12 years | 52 | 36 | 71 | 49 |
| 13 years | 53 | 36 | 71 | 48 | 13 years | 53 | 35 | 74 | 49 |
| 14 years | 54 | 35 | 74 | 48 | 14 years | 53 | 34 | 76 | 49 |
| Adult | 56 | 32 | 87 | 50 | Adult | 55 | 33 | 82 | 50 |
Children's size chart, or rather, standard measurements that you need to know if you are going to sew or buy clothes for your child. By determining your baby’s height using the table, you will see what the child’s waist or chest circumference should be. Of course, the table provides information for standard figures, individual deviations from the standard, I think mothers will determine for themselves.
Basic measurements of typical children's figures of preschool age
| Measurement name | Symbols of measurements | Height, cm | ||||||||||
| 74 | 80 | 86 | 92 | 96 | 98 | 104 | 110 | 116 | 122 | 128 | ||
| Neck circumference | OS | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Bust | OG | 51 | 53 | 55 | 56 | 56,5 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 62 | 66 |
| Waist circumference | FROM | 48 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 52,5 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 60 |
| Hip girth | ABOUT | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 70 |
| Shoulder width | ShP | 6 | 6,5 | 7 | 7 | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10 |
| The length of the sleeve | AP | 23 | 26 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 36 | 38 | 41 | 43 | 46 |
| Back width | Shs | 18 | 19,5 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24,5 | 25 | 25,5 | 26 | 27 |
| Back length to waist line | dst | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23,5 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 30 |
| Front length to waistline | dpt | 18 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24,5 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 |
| Upper arm circumference | OR | 16 | 16,5 | 17 | 17,5 | 17,5 | 18 | 18 | 18,5 | 18,5 | 19,5 | 21 |
Immediately after birth, the circumference of the child's head and chest is measured, and then during the first year of life this is done regularly at an appointment with a pediatrician and neurologist. For what?
Using these indicators, the physical development of the child is assessed and some deviations in his health are identified.
Approximate head and chest circumference in children
| child's age | approximate head circumference (in cm) | Approximate chest circumference (in cm) |
| newborn | 33 — 36 | 32 — 36 |
| 1 month | 35 — 38 | 33 — 38 |
| 3 months | 38 — 42 | 38 — 42 |
| 6 months | 42 - 45,5 | 42 — 47 |
| 9 months | 43,5 - 47,5 | 45 — 49 |
| 1 year | 45 — 49 | 47 — 51 |
| 2 years | 47 - 50,5 | 49 - 53,5 |
| 3 years | 48,5 — 51,5 | 50 — 55 |
| 5 years | 50 — 53 | 53 — 58 |
| 7 years | 50,5 - 54,5 | 56 — 63 |
| 10 years | 51,5 — 56 | 62 - 71,5 |
| 14 years | 52 - 57,5 | 73 — 84 |
As can be seen from the table, the spread of these indicators is quite significant.
Head circumference in the first year of a child's life
Most of all, parents and doctors are concerned about deviations in the size of the child’s head, especially in the first year of life.
If a child’s head is measured and it turns out that its size is slightly outside the age norm, this is not yet a cause for concern. Perhaps the child was born large and is ahead of his peers in height and weight, in which case the size of his head may exceed the limits of age norms. The same can be the case when a child has a small head, if the child was born premature or small for term (with intrauterine growth retardation). Severe developmental defects lead to large deviations in head size in children; this can be noticed even without measurements.
Absolute indicators are not as important as the rate of head growth and the ratio of head circumference to chest circumference. Therefore, if the absolute values of head circumference exceed the boundaries of age norms, dynamic observation is always prescribed - monitoring the head (and chest) circumference monthly to track the growth rate.
Immediately after birth and in life, the head circumference is usually 1-2 cm larger than the chest circumference. At these two circumferences they become equal, and even older, the chest circumference should be larger than the head circumference.
Normally, in the first half of life, head circumference grows by about 1.5 cm per month and by 9-10 cm in 6 months. In the second half of life, the child’s head grows at a rate of approximately 0.5 cm per month, and grows by 3-4 cm in 6 months.
fontanelles
In addition to the size of the head, its shape matters, as well as the presence or absence of fontanelles.
The size of the large fontanel is assessed. The large fontanel is the junction of the frontal and parietal bones, which in infants is filled with soft connective tissue; later this soft septum is replaced by bone tissue.
Its size in children from 3x3 cm during the newborn period gradually decreases by 6 months to 1.5x1.5 cm, by 1-1.5 years the fontanel is completely closed.
Sometimes, by the time the child is born, the small fontanel remains open: the junction of the parietal and occipital bones; it is located on the back of the head. Normally, it can be detected in premature babies; in a full-term baby, it is worth paying attention to.
If the size of the child’s head and its growth rate correspond to his age, but the head circumference is 3; at 6 or 9; months exceeds the chest circumference, the child is probably underweight; nutrition needs to be adjusted.
Big head
If the size of the head is larger than the age norm, and the head is growing too quickly, the child will need additional examination.
First of all, you will need to consult a neurologist to rule out intracranial hypertension. This is a condition characterized by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain or in the space between the substance of the brain and its membranes. Excessive accumulated fluid puts pressure on the brain and skull bones from the inside, causing the baby's head to grow faster than usual.
Therefore, children with intracranial hypertension have a large head, large fontanelles that do not close for a long time, and soft (malleable) sutures of the skull (the junction of the cranial bones).
The most characteristic clinical symptoms of intracranial hypertension in children is the ocular Graefe symptom: lag of the child's upper eyelid when looking down, and tilting of the child's head during sleep.
You will also need to consult an ophthalmologist with an examination of the fundus, where signs of intracranial hypertension may include varicose veins and venous congestion.
In addition, neurosonography (ultrasound of the brain) will be required. On ultrasound, signs of intracranial hypertension are dilation of the ventricles of the brain and the interhemispheric sulcus.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, the neurologist prescribes treatment, but in order to subsequently evaluate its effectiveness, monitoring the growth of head circumference will again be required.
An increase in head circumference can occur with rickets, due to a change in its shape, protrusion of the parietal and frontal tubercles, and flattening of the occiput. With rickets, there is also pliability of the sutures and a large size of the fontanel, so you should pay attention to other signs of rickets: sweating, timidity, baldness of the back of the head, curvature of the limbs, late teething, rachitic rosary on the ribs, etc. In this case, vitamin D administration will be required.
Small head
If the child’s head is smaller in size than the age norm, with normal chest circumference, the examination also begins with a neurologist. Here you will need to exclude 2 rare diseases: microcephaly (occurs with a frequency of 0.6-1.6 per 10,000 births) and craniostenosis (occurs in 2 out of 10,000 births).
Microcephaly
Microcephaly is a decrease in brain mass by more than 25% of the age norm, and, as a consequence, a decrease in the size of the skull, early closure of the fontanelles, etc.
The causes may be hereditary factors, congenital anomalies, intrauterine infections during pregnancy (influenza, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection), parental alcoholism. In such cases, the diagnosis is usually made by ultrasound during pregnancy (in which case it is possible to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons) or immediately after the birth of the child.
But harmful factors, such as intrauterine infections in the last months of pregnancy, hypoxia during childbirth, birth trauma, neuroinfections in the first days and months of a child’s life can cause retardation of brain growth after birth; accordingly, the child’s head will grow more slowly and earlier the fontanelles will close.
Therefore, if the child’s head grows too slowly, the same examinations await him: a consultation with an ophthalmologist with an examination of the fundus and an ultrasound of the brain (which can be difficult due to the early closure of the large fontanel).
Treatment will be aimed at improving blood circulation in the brain and fighting infection, and at the comprehensive development of the child.
Craniostenosis
Craniostenosis is a congenital malformation of the skull bones, in which premature fusion of one or more or all cranial sutures occurs. In this case, the child’s brain develops normally, but prematurely fused skull bones prevent its normal growth, resulting in increased intracranial pressure and the above-described syndrome of intracranial hypertension with a small head circumference. When one suture heals, various deformations of the skull occur, which attract attention.
Despite the smaller size of the head, the fontanels with craniostenosis remain open for a long time, as a compensatory mechanism that somewhat reduces the increased intracranial pressure.
On ultrasound, the ventricles of the brain and the interhemispheric sulcus will not be dilated; in some cases, they may be smaller than normal.
In case of suspected craniostenosis, in addition to a neurologist and an ophthalmologist, a consultation with a neurosurgeon will be required, since in cases of decompensated forms of craniostenosis (paroxysmal headaches, vomiting, severe congestion in the fundus), a neurosurgical operation is necessary, and, often, it is most effective in the first year of the child's life.
In the case of a compensated form, the child will be observed and treated by a pediatric neurologist.
How to correctly measure your child's head circumference
In all cases when deviations in the size of a child’s head are detected in the first year of life, dynamic monitoring of its growth will be required - i.e. monthly head circumference measurement. measuring tape.
To avoid measurement errors (different tapes from different doctors), parents are advised to purchase a separate measuring tape for their child. You can take it with you to appointments, and you can also measure your child’s head circumference at home.
When measuring, the measuring tape should pass through the most protruding parts of the head: the eyebrows, above the ears, the most protruding part of the back of the head.
Fortunately, most often all deviations in the size of a child’s head turn out to be his individual characteristics and do not lead to bad consequences.