Following our previous episode with Harry’s Hat, Amy and Jen review the guidance on measuring head circumference.
We discuss when (and how frequently) as well as how to measure.
Many of us may be doing it incorrectly - using lasso/plastic tapes (which can stretch and lead to inaccurate measurements), instead of paper.
We also discuss the potential consequences of not detecting problems with head circumference with reference to a recent court case and consider what lessons we can learn from this case.
Further Reading and Resources:
Court Case
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2020/3102.html
NICE Guidance on abnormal head shape or size:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng127/chapter/Recommendations-for-children-aged-under-16#head-shape-or-size-abnormalities
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs198/chapter/Quality-statement-2-Head-size-and-shape-in-children
NHS Choices page on Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/
Great Ormond Street pages on positional plagiocephaly:
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/positional-plagiocephaly/
Craniostenosis CDC pages:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/craniosynostosis.html#:~:text=Lambdoid%20synostosis%20%E2%80%93%20The%20lambdoid%20suture,the%20rarest%20types%20of%20craniosynostosis
Image of Cranial Suture Lines:
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=anatomy-of-the-newborn-skull-90-P01840
BMJ article evidencing that plastic lasso Measuring tapes stretch:
https://adc.bmj.com/content/90/8/820
We discuss when (and how frequently) as well as how to measure.
Many of us may be doing it incorrectly - using lasso/plastic tapes (which can stretch and lead to inaccurate measurements), instead of paper.
We also discuss the potential consequences of not detecting problems with head circumference with reference to a recent court case and consider what lessons we can learn from this case.
Further Reading and Resources:
Court Case
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2020/3102.html
NICE Guidance on abnormal head shape or size:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng127/chapter/Recommendations-for-children-aged-under-16#head-shape-or-size-abnormalities
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs198/chapter/Quality-statement-2-Head-size-and-shape-in-children
NHS Choices page on Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/
Great Ormond Street pages on positional plagiocephaly:
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/positional-plagiocephaly/
Craniostenosis CDC pages:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/craniosynostosis.html#:~:text=Lambdoid%20synostosis%20%E2%80%93%20The%20lambdoid%20suture,the%20rarest%20types%20of%20craniosynostosis
Image of Cranial Suture Lines:
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=anatomy-of-the-newborn-skull-90-P01840
BMJ article evidencing that plastic lasso Measuring tapes stretch:
https://adc.bmj.com/content/90/8/820
Activity