Get-A-Head

“Get–A–Head” is working to improve brain health.  We aim to deliver change so babies showing signs of hydrocephalus (and other serious brain conditions) can be identified and treated sooner.

Our nationwide campaign is calling on the government to review the current guidelines regarding the frequency  of infant head circumference measurement. Currently the UK falls far behind other counties when it comes to this.  Here we offer two head circumference measurements as standard, whereas other counties such as Finland and Norway offer 10 and 11.  In the UK we stop routine measurement when a baby reaches 6/8 weeks of age, however we know that the average age for a baby to be diagnosed with hydrocephalus is 4.5 months.

Secondly, the campaign aims to spread awareness about the need for trained healthcare professionals to measure and record a baby’s head circumference regularly in the first year of life.  This is vital as this this simple, painless and cheap procedure can spot babies showing signs of hydrocephalus (and other serious brain conditions) meaning that babies with hydrocephalus can be found earlier and therefore treated sooner. 

By simply measuring a baby’s head circumference, we could significantly improve a baby’s long-term health outcome and can prevent damage to the brain, serious disability and even death.  “Time is brain” and the longer a baby if left undiagnosed the more serious the impact!

The campaign is targeted at; parents-to-be, new parents and health care professionals and of course, policy makers.  It aims to increase understanding of the importance of these measurements as a tool good brain health and helping to spot life-threatening conditions such as hydrocephalus.

An estimated 1 in every 770 babies born each year will develop hydrocephalus (source: Hydrocephalus Association in the US), and without treatment, it is life-threatening.