Definition of Increased head circumference:

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.

Considerations:

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 pressure in the head (increased intracranial pressure) often accompanies increased head circumference. Symptoms associated with this condition include:

• Eyes moving downward
• Irritability
• Vomiting

See also: Bulging fontanelles

Common Causes:

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