Baby head circumference at 6 weeks

[ILookAtTheFloor]

We had our 6 week check on Wednesday. His weight gain was good and he's on the 50th centile. The GP then measured his head at 37.5cm and plotted this as on the 25th centile. She said that both weight and head circumference should be on the same centile line and we should monitor it.

Obviously I was worried but tried to forget about it. I then receive a text from the GP this morning saying she wanted to call and ask what my son's head circumference was at birth. I checked and it was 34cm and on the 25th centile. I spoke to the GP and explained this. She asked whether I had had any infections in pregnancy or whether I changed my cats' litter tray when pregnant (I didn't!) And said she wanted to refer my son to paeds to get checked and now I'm freaking out!!

38cm is 50th centile and he's 37.5cm. The doc said 'it could all be fine' which really isn't very reassuring and now I'm upset and panicking! Has anyone had any experience of this?? Thank you!

Not a doctor but: Your GP sounds very over the top and I doubt paeds will accept the referral. Some children have big heads, others have smaller ones. Your child’s head circumference is on the same percentile it was at birth, so growing according to his line. I really can’t see how this is a problem. I could see how a referral would be appropriate if your son was off the bottom of the chart of HC, while on the 50th percentile to weight, but not for 25th/ 50th.

Also, my son has never had his head circumference measured since he was born so it can’t be that important.

Thanks so much for talking me down! I thought that when I confirmed that he was born on 25th centile I assumed she would be satisfied that he was following his line and just had a small head, when she didn't I was very rattled!

My son was on the 9th percentile for weight when born but the 95th or something from head size. He just has a really big head! Nobody ever expressed concern that it didn't match up to me although I appreciate your measurements are the other way round!

Hi OP

I'm a HV here - I really wouldn't be worried at this stage but if it brings you peace of mind ask your HV to measure his head fortnightly x

It sounds like your GP is being cautious for whatever reason but I wouldn’t panic at all.

More often than not you hear complaints about GPs being lax and missing red flag symptoms, so it’s nice to see a GP simply doing their job as guidelines dictate.

I had a kid on the 50th centile with a head on the 98th - I've never heard of that before either. I think you just have a cautious gp.

My baby was all over the centiles for weight/length/head (but tracked consistently like yours) and no one ever had an issue. The HV made a comment like “we like to see them on the same centile” but never made any referrals and GP wasn’t concerned either

I had an off the scale head baby, it was monitored by an overly-cautious GP who referred us for a scan but all was fine - another GP wouldn’t have even picked it up. Try not to worry although I know it’s easier said than done.

I measure baby heads every week.

Your GP is going over the top. The measurements you've posted wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. I think the referral will probably be rejected.

And regarding the comment on getting your HV to check the head circumference every 2 weeks- that is over kill.

Baby heads don't grow that fast. If you did want it monitored maybe get it checked in 4 weeks,then after 2 months. But the reading is good. You don't need to be concerned.

Agree with all of this. Your GP sounds very cautious which I suppose is a good thing but possibly they’re being a bit over zealous!

Neither of mine ever tracked weight/head circumference on the same centile (both have big heads!) and nobody raised an issue with it. Most people aren’t perfectly in proportion and that’s normal!

I meant if it brings her peace of mind. I certainly wouldn't object at doing this for a couple of months.