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Neuropediatrics 2002; 33(5): 239-241
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36735
Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Relationship Between Head Circumference and Brain Volume in Healthy Normal Toddlers, Children, and Adults

H. H. Bartholomeusz 1 , E. Courchesne 1 , 2 , C. M. Karns 1
  • 1Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
  • 2Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 5 May 2001

Accepted after Revision: 9 April 2002

Publication Date:
21 January 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Objective

To quantify the relationship between brain volume and head circumference from early childhood to adulthood, and quantify how this relationship changes with age.

Methods

Whole-brain volume and head circumference measures were obtained from MR images of 76 healthy normal males aged 1.7 to 42 years.

Results

Across early childhood, brain volume and head circumference both increase, but from adolescence onward brain volume decreases while head circumference does not. Because of such changing relationships between brain volume and head circumference with age, a given head circumference was associated with a wide range of brain volumes. However, when grouped appropriately by age, head circumference was shown to accurately predict brain volume. Head circumference was an excellent prediction of brain volume in 1.7 to 6 years old children (r = 0.93), but only an adequate predictor in 7 to 42 year olds.

Conclusions

To use head circumference as an accurate indication of abnormal brain volume in the clinic or research setting, the patient's age must be taken into account. With knowledge of age-dependent head circumference-to-brain volume relationship, head circumference (particularly in young children) can be an accurate, rapid, and inexpensive indication of normalcy of brain size and growth in a clinical setting.

Key words

Head Circumference - MRI - Brain Volume

References

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Ph. D. Eric Courchesne

Center for Autism Research · Children's Hospital of San Diego

8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Room 201

La Jolla, CA 92037

USA

Email: ecourchesne@ucsd.edu

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