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Our research shows significant global disparities in routine head circumference measurements, during the first year of life. For example, a baby born in England will receive two routine measurements. Whereas a baby born in Finland, or Norway, will receive 10 and 11 measurements during the first year of life, respectively.
UK
Health for all Children. 5th ed. Oxford University Press; 2019:480.
Ireland
Your child’s head circumference. 2022. Health Service Executive. Accessed: 22nd April 2024. Available from: Health for all Children. 5th ed. Oxford University Press; 2019:480.
Germany
Guideline for the early detection of diseases in children. 2023. Federal Joint Committee about the early detection of illnesses in children. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from:
https://www.g-ba.de/richtlinien/15/
France
Carnet de santé. Ministère de la santé et de l’acces aux soins. 2024. Available from:
https://sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/pdfcomplet-specimen-carnet_de_sante.pdf
United States
Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care. 2023. American Academy of Pediatrics & Bright Futures. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from: UK
Health for all Children. 5th ed. Oxford University Press; 2019:480.
Finland
Child Health Clinic: age-specific check-ups at a child health clinic. 2024. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from:
https://www.hel.fi/en/health-and-social-services/child-and-family-services/maternity-and-child-health-clinics/for-families-with-babies/child-health-clinic
Norway
Infant healthcare programme, age 0-5 years. 2023. Helsenorge. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from:
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/help-services-in-the-municipalities/infant-healthcare-programme-age-0-5-years/
Australia
Procedure: Head circumference assessment. 2023. Government of Western Australia: child and adolescent health service. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from:
https://cahs.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/HSPs/CAHS/Documents/Community-Health/CHM/Head-circumference-assessment.pdf?thn=0
Canada
Childhood Growth Measurement Protocol. Childhood Growth Measurement. 2015. Alberta Health Services. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from:
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page9810.aspx
Denmark
Monitoring of growth in 0-5 year old children. Guidance for health nurses and general practitioners. 2015. Accessed 24th April 2024. Available from:
https://www.sst.dk/da/udgivelser/2015/~/media/A72D478EDC6F4298ACEE1E9AE545BF83.ashx
This work is ongoing and dynamic, and designed to be an educational resource available to clinicians, researchers, and families alike. Please get in touch with the guidelines from your country, if not currently listed, or if you have any feedback/suggestions, on: research@harrys-hat.org
To us, this work shows why we need a review of the current guidelines for routine head circumference measurement, across the UK. We would encourage you to consider signing our public Petition, which will be used to support our Open Letter and calls for change. The aim is to present this to the UK Government, in the hope that they will support a review of current practice.