Head Circumference

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Following our previous episode with Harry’s Hat, Amy and Jen review the guidance on measuring head circumference. We discuss when (and how frequently) as well as how to measure. Many of us may be doing it incorrectly - using lasso/plastic tapes (which can stretch and lead to inaccurate measurements), instead of paper. We also discuss the potential consequences of not detecting problems with head circumference with reference to a recent court case and consider what lessons we can learn from this case. Further Reading and Resources: Court Case https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2020/3102.html NICE Guidance on abnormal head shape or size: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng127/chapter/Recommendations-for-children-aged-under-16#head-shape-or-size-abnormalities https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs198/chapter/Quality-statement-2-Head-size-and-shape-in-children NHS Choices page on Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/ Great Ormond Street pages on positional plagiocephaly: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/positional-plagiocephaly/ Craniostenosis CDC pages: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/craniosynostosis.html#:~:text=Lambdoid%20synostosis%20%E2%80%93%20The%20lambdoid%20suture,the%20rarest%20types%20of%20craniosynostosis Image of Cranial Suture Lines: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=anatomy-of-the-newborn-skull-90-P01840 BMJ article evidencing that plastic lasso Measuring tapes stretch: https://adc.bmj.com/content/90/8/820