Head circumference baby: table with standard values
At every check-up, your baby is measured: In addition to height and weight, the baby’s head circumference is also an important criterion for healthy development.
Even before birth, thegynecologist measures your baby’s head circumference by ultrasound to see if the brain is developing according to age. Even directly after birth, your baby will be measured from head to toe: The data on weight and height are then proudly announced on the birth announcement in many cases. The head circumference of a baby is not mentioned, although it is very important: after all, it gives us information about how the brain develops.
Index
ToggleHead circumference in newborns
At birth, the head circumference of a normally developed baby is usually between 34 and 37 centimeters. Deviations from the norm are not immediately worrying. Prematurebabies are usually lighter, smaller and have a smaller head circumference, while babies born after the calculated date of birth are larger. The birth size of mature babies does not necessarily predict the later development and health of the child.
Head circumference baby: table with standard values
| Age | Head circumference |
| Preemie | 33-35 cm |
| 0-2 months | 35-37 cm |
| 3-4 months | 37-39 cm |
| 4-5 months | 39-41 cm |
| 5-6 months | 41-43 cm |
| 6-9 months | 43-45 cm |
| 9-12 months | 45-47 cm |
| 12-18 months | 47-49 cm |
| 18-24 months | 49-51 cm |
Percentile curves of head circumference
Percentile curves are standard curves called percentiles. The middle curve is the median, i.e. the mean. If your baby’s head circumference moves along this line, it means that your baby’s head circumference is average. Below you can see the percentile curves for the head circumference of girls and boys of the Robert Koch Institute.
Head circumference of girls (0 – 24 months)
Head circumference of boys (0 – 24 months)
Further measurements during preventive examinations
At eachcheck-up, the pediatrician enters the current values for the weight of your baby, theheight of yourbaby and the head circumference ofthe baby in the so-called percentile curves. These tables can be found at the back of the pension booklet. There are tables for girls and tables for boys. The last curve is the one for the child’s head circumference. The middle line of the 50th percentile indicates the average value, which is the average head circumference that children have at a certain age. The two outer curves each limit the normal range. If the measured value is outside the normal range, this does not immediately mean that your child is not developing properly. That alone is no cause for concern. Above all, it is important that the values develop parallel to the curves, i.e. become larger.
Tip: Knowing these values is also important for buying clothes. Depending on your age, you will find thedress sizes for babies forclothes, shoes and hats.