Timing of head circumference measurement in newborns.

AIM: The objective of this study is to compare head circumferences (HCs) measured on the day of delivery and on the third day after delivery.

METHOD: A total of 499 children born in the maternity department were recruited for the study. HC was measured in centimeters immediately after birth and on the third day after delivery.

RESULTS

There are statistically significant differences between HC at the time of birth and on the third day. Presentation and method of delivery were significantly associated with differences in HC. For presentation, we found that breech newborns more commonly have smaller HC on day 3 measurements (P = .001). For method of delivery, we found that cesarean sections also were more commonly associated with having smaller HC on day 3 measurement (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Measuring HC on the third day is more clinically valuable because much of the effects of molding and birth injuries will have subsided in most newborns.