Increased head circumference

Alternative names:

macrocephaly

Call your health care provider if:

There is excessive crying over a period of time and the baby's fontanel is full or bulging ( when he or she is quiet and in a head up position)
(Note: An abnormally large head is a finding that usually is detected by the health care provider during a routine well-baby exam.)

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting increased head circumference in detail may include:

• time pattern
• When did you first notice that the baby's head seemed large?
• Does the baby's head size seem to be increasing faster (in proportion to the growth of the body)?
• other
• What other symptoms are also present (especially changes in brain or nervous system functions)?
• Lethargy or excessive crying

Physical examination may include repeated measurements of the head circumference over a period of time to confirm that the head circumference has significantly increased; however, in some cases a single measurement is sufficient to confirm a significant increase.

Diagnostic tests may vary depending on the suspected cause, but often include:

• head X-ray
• ultrasound
• head CT scan or MRI

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as to the cause of increased head circumference, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record. You may also want to document your own measurements of the head circumference.