Head circumference

why always measure it

Abstract

A review on the importance of head circumference anthropometry is present by authors in this study. It includes a description of the techniques and curves frequently used, the secular trends of the head circumference in different populations, its correlation to the size of the brain and the characteristics of cerebral growth. Cerebral growth differs from that of the other parts of the body – 83,6% of its growth takes place within the first year of life and therefore the head circumference (HC) is an anthropometric measure that could provide information regarding the first two years of an individual’s life. The vulnerable periods of the human brain with regard to nutrition can be seen by the sequels left due to early malnutrition – the reduction in the cerebral mass, a reduced number of glia cells and Purkinje’s cerebellar granular cells and a reduction in the size of network, ramifications and the number of synapses. The authors used these evidences to study populations that suffered malnutrition during the first two years of life and show that the development of the neuro-motor potential was hampered and that it worsens or improves according to the environment. Recent studies suggest that malnutrition during the early years of life is correlated to an increase in cardiovascular diseases at adult stage as a result of adaptation mechanisms used by the mother and infant to face the nutritional situation. A head circumference below normal standards is a risk factor for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in adults who have a predisposition to this disease. The authors recommend that the measure of the head circumference, should be included together with other anthropometric measures in studies that evaluate the health and nutrition of population.