Increased head circumference is when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than expected for the child's age and background.
Macrocephaly
A newborn's head is usually about 2 cm (0.78 inch) 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.
Measurements over time that show an increased rate of head growth often provide more valuable information than a single measurement that is larger than expected.
Increased pressure inside the head (increased intracranial pressure) often occurs with increased head circumference. Symptoms of this condition include:
Increased head size may be from any of the following:
The health care provider usually finds an increased head size in a baby during a routine well-baby exam.
A careful physical exam will be done. Other milestones for growth and development will be checked.
In some cases, a single measurement is enough to confirm that there is a size increase that needs to be tested further. More often, repeated measurements of the head circumference over time are needed to confirm that the head circumference is increased and the problem is getting worse.
Diagnostic tests that may be ordered include:
Treatment depends on the cause of the increased head size. For example, for hydrocephalus, surgery may be needed to relieve the buildup of fluid inside the skull.
Ghayda Mirzaa is a Medical Genetics specialist and a Pediatrics expert in Seattle, Washington. Mirzaa is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Increased Head Circumference. She is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Increased Head Circumference, Cortical Dysplasia, Achalasia Microcephaly Syndrome, and Microcephaly. She is licensed to treat patients in Washington and Illinois. Mirzaa is currently accepting new patients.
William Dobyns is a Neurologist and a Pediatrics expert in Chicago, Illinois. Dobyns has been practicing medicine for over 45 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Increased Head Circumference. He is also highly rated in 62 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Increased Head Circumference, Lissencephaly, Polymicrogyria, and Cortical Dysplasia. He is licensed to treat patients in Washington and Illinois. Dobyns is currently accepting new patients.
Laurence Faivre practices in Dijon, France. Faivre is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Increased Head Circumference. He is also highly rated in 155 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cohen Syndrome, Microcephaly, Achalasia Microcephaly Syndrome, Hypotonia, and Heart Transplant.
Summary: Overgrowth syndromes are rare genetic disorders defined by tissue hypertrophy that can be either localized or generalized, affecting both latitudinal and longitudinal growth. The genes involved in overgrowth syndromes are not well characterized but mostly concern the PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR pathway, a major actor of cell growth and proliferation. The mutations are not inherited but occurs during embryogen...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine cross-sectional and longitudinal medical, behavioral, and cognitive differences between PTEN ASD and other groups, as well as to identify cognitive, neural systems, and molecular biomarkers specific to PTEN ASD. In addition, this study will be creating and maintaining a biorepository and linked phenotypic database for PTEN ASD.
Published Date: May 24, 2021
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bamba V, Kelly A. Assessment of growth. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 27.
Mitchell AL. Congenital abnormalities. Disorders in head shape and size. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 30.