Registered Charity 1183086

When to measure

Our survey of 750 new parents found that only 20% knew head measurements can help identify hydrocephalus.

Nearly half were unaware that their baby’s head should be measured shortly after birth. We’re working to change that.

Current UK guidance recommends a baby’s head should be routinely measured:

  1. Around 24-48 hours after birth
  2. At the 6-8 week check
  3. And at anytime there are concerns over the baby’s growth, development or general health.
head measurement

how to measure

This short video demonstrates best practice for measuring a baby’s head circumference and is presented by Samantha Hettige, Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon at St George’s Hospital, London.

Please note: This video is provided for information purposes only and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your child’s head growth, development or health, please seek medical advice.

SIGNS OF HYDROCEPHALUS INCLUDE:

  • A rapidly growing head circumference (increased by 2 or more centile lines on a growth chart)
  • An unusually large head
  • A tense or bulging fontanelle
  • Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Prominent scalp veins
  • Extreme irritability
  • Difficulty holding their head up
  • Eyes that are fixed looking downwards, sometimes called “sunsetting eyes”
  • Also consider: a baby not fitting through the head space for a Babygro of their age (or adjusted age), or hats for their age not fitting, but clothes for the rest of their body fitting well. 
Early diagnosis matters: Research suggests that babies with hydrocephalus have better outcomes when the condition is identified and treated early. While there is no cure, treatment is available.

FREE NHS APPROVED TAPE MEASURES

Thanks to a generous grant from the Yateley and District Lions Club, Harry’s HAT has secured 10,000 disposable NHS-approved paper tape measures.

These tape measures are available free of charge to healthcare professionals, including health visitors, midwives and GPs, to support routine head circumference monitoring. We can also provide them to families whose child has been diagnosed with, or is being monitored for, hydrocephalus and who have been asked to measure and record head circumference at home for their neurosurgical team.

If you would like to request a supply, please contact us at: info@harrys-hat.org.

Downloads
Get-A-Head
Harrys Hat

Why measure…. how it helped Jethro

Just before 6 weeks of age he had a six week check with his health visitor to do the all of the usual baby checks, and this thankfully included a head circumference measurement. This measurement showed that Jethro’s head had increased rapidly from 25% at birth to 75% six weeks later.

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20th June 2022