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Head growth evaluation in early childhood, from the Japan Children's Study

Akiko Sawada1, Hiroko Ikeda, Shihoko Kimura-Ohba

  • 1Osaka Research Group, Japan Children's Study, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Osaka, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|November 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Head circumference (HC) growth in children is influenced by both physical development and parental HC. This study found that bodyweight was a stronger predictor of HC than parental HC, highlighting the importance of considering both factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Development
  • Human Growth Studies
  • Neurological Assessment

Background:

  • Head circumference (HC) trajectories are indicators of neurological development and intelligence.
  • Atypical HC growth can signify various developmental disorders.
  • Previous research has not jointly examined familial and physical factors influencing HC growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined influence of physical growth and parental HC on a child's HC.
  • To establish a predictive model for HC incorporating both physical and genetic factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Japan Children's Study, including 192 healthy, full-term Japanese children.
  • Measured HC, height, and bodyweight at 4, 9, and 18 months.
  • Employed multiple regression analysis to predict HC using body measurements and mid-parental HC.

Main Results:

  • Bodyweight and mid-parental HC significantly predicted HC at all measured time points (P < 0.01).
  • Bodyweight demonstrated a stronger predictive relevance for HC compared to mid-parental HC.
  • The model explained a substantial portion of the variance in HC growth (R(2) values of 0.336, 0.307, and 0.259).

Conclusions:

  • HC growth is significantly influenced by a combination of the child's physical growth and parental HC.
  • The findings underscore the necessity of considering both physical and familial factors for accurate HC assessment.
  • A novel formula is proposed for assessing HC, integrating bodyweight and mid-parental HC.
Abstract

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