جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « head circumference » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

 The measurement of various components of infant growth is not only essential for monitoring infant health but is also associated with the well-being of infants and their parents, the use of human resources, frequent repositioning of infants, and a considerable amount of time.

 Therefore, the present study aimed to design and evaluate a device for the “simultaneous measurement of infants’ weight, height, head circumference, temperature, and heart rate”.

 This study follows a quantitative and semi-experimental approach. The “simultaneous measurement of weight, height, head circumference, temperature, and heart rate of a child” device was officially registered as an invention with the number 104232 on May 18, 2021. The sample for this study comprised 100 infants selected from hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The data related to all 100 infants were collected and recorded using both routine measurement methods and digital devices. Data collection tools included the Wong-Baker Faces scale to assess infant distress and a demographic questionnaire for recording growth components and the time of measurement. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 20), and statistical significance was determined using the t-test (P < 0.05).

 The comparison of mean distress scores in both the control and intervention groups revealed a significant reduction in infant distress scores during all measurements except for weight (P < 0.05). It is worth noting that the number of infant repositions required for each measurement was reduced from 6 in the routine method to 2 with the digital device. Additionally, although 2 or 3 staff members were needed for measurements in the control group, only 1 staff member was sufficient for measurements in the intervention group.

 Based on the evaluation results of the digital device, it is anticipated that this device could serve as a suitable alternative to the routine methods of measuring infant growth components. However, further studies are warranted to explore the broader applications of this digital device.

The World Health Organization has introduced two sets of child growth standards for growth assessment. These reference values may not be suitable for use in other populations. Therefore, this study aimed to determine specific Z scores in the population covered by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on data obtained from the evaluation of height, weight, and head circumference of children aged from 0 to 18 months visiting the healthcare centers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from March 2018 to March 2021. A total data of 128,472 children were extracted from the Electronic Health Records (SinaEHR®) and included in the study. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using Minitab and SPSS software (version 16).  

The L, M, and S parameters were used to calculate Z scores for weight, height, and head circumference. These Z scores were then compared to standard deviation values ​for each age from our study and international standards to determine any differences. Our study found that mean weight scores were 0.16 kg higher than the CDC standard and 0.34 kg higher than the WHO growth standard.  

The provision of this exclusive reference to children's growth indicators not only allows for a more accurate evaluation but also provides the possibility of comparison with other populations using their specific growth charts. It seems that one of the best plans is to compare growth charts with international populations and national growth charts, which due to the electronization of the entire processes of the health system, is more possible than ever.

The relationship between fetal biometric indices and pregnancy outcomes has always been discussed. It seems that understanding the relationship between these indices and maternal and neonatal complications can be useful in the proper management of labor and delivery. This study was performed to determine the value of estimated fetal weight (EFW) and head circumference (HC) measured by ultrasound to predict the cervical dilatation rate and mode of delivery.

In this prospective cohort study, all eligible individuals (n=60) selected by convenience sampling were evaluated. The participants were pregnant women with the gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks referred to Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan in 2019-2020. Data collection tools included a checklist to record clinical examination and ultrasound results, as well as reports on the labor and delivery processes. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22) and using descriptive statistics and the student t-test Chi-square test.

EFW and HC were directly and significantly correlated with cesarean section and abnormal progression or cessation of dilatation (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that EFW could be a predictor of mode of delivery, while HC can be considered as a predictor of the rate of dilatation progression (p<0/05).

It seems that the sonographic estimation of EFW and HC prior to childbirth can be useful to predict mode of delivery and labor progression. However, it is suggested to conduct more comprehensive studies with larger sample size.

Anthropometric measures are important research goals especially because of racial differences and also variation in measurement techniques. In this study, head circumference in neonates weighing less than 2500grams in Emam-Hosein hospital in 2018 was assessed.

The aim of this study was to measuring head circumference in neonates weighing less than 2500 grams.

In this cross-sectional study, 200 neonates weighing less than 2500grams in Emam-Hosein hospital in 2018 were enrolled. The head circumference in neonates was determined and also was compared according to gestational age, birth weight, and sex.

There were 53% males and 47% females. There were 85.5% preterm neonates. Birth weight was less than 2000 gram in 12.5%. Head circumference was low in 148 cases (74%). The head circumference was not differed by gestational age, birth weight, and sex (p > 0.05).

Totally, it may be concluded that head circumference is normal only in ¼ of neonates weighing less than 2500grams and it is not an optimal goal for growth pattern monitoring.

Background :

  The growth and development of infancy are vital to health and the quality of life throughout a person's life. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the growth of head circumference in a sample of Iranian children under 18 months.  

This is a retrospective cohort study conducted among 274 children aged under 18 months in Zanjan, Iran. Multi-stage cluster sampling was applied to obtain a representative sample of residents. About eight representative healthcare centers, including four urban health centers and four rural health centers, as clusters, were randomly selected. We used multiple linear regression and marginal models of Generalized Equation Estimators to examine the predictors of head circumference cross-sectionally and longitudinaly, respectively.  

Of the subjects, 49.5% (n=136) were females. The mean head circumference of newborns was 34.5±1.57. The marginal model showed that there is a significant association between sex of newborns, gestational age, high risk pregnancy, height and weight of newborns with head circumference over time (p <0.005). In multiple regression models, mothers' job and educational level also showed a significant association with head circumference in addition to sex of newborns (B=0.33, 95% CI:[0.31, 0.53]), gestational age (B=1.47, 95% CI:[0.99, 1.94]), high risk pregnancy (B=0.37; 95% CI:[0.15, 0.57]), height and weight of newborns (p <0.005).  

Conclusion  :

 In our study the mean of head circumference was similar to standard value of 34.9 cm. The sex, gestational age, high risk pregnancy, height and weight of newborns showed a significant association with head circumference, both in cross-sectional (at birth), and longitudinal models (at birth to 18 months); mothers job and educational level showed a significant association with head circumference only at birth.

Anthropometry is a branch of anatomy. One of the important parts of anthropometry is cephalometry, which is characterized by anatomical dimensions of the head area. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between brain volume, weight, and IQ in children.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 300 students. Conventional measuring instruments were used for anthropometric measurements. Body weight and skull dimensions were measured. Then, using the appropriate formulas, the volume and weight of the brain and the brain index were measured.

The Pearson correlation coefficient confirmed a weak correlation between the amounts of IQ and anthropometric dimension in female samples. The mean head circumference of males was 2 cm above the mean head circumference of females. Compared to the central index and the dispersion, anthropometric dimensions were significant between boys and girls. According to the analysis of neural network, the anthropometric dimensions of head height, brain weight, head width, and brain index in boys and anthropometric dimensions around the head volume of head width and head height in girls were the most important in relation to IQ.

The results of this study showed that there was a significant statistical difference between the central index and the distribution of anthropometric dimensions in boys and girls. Moreover, there was not a significant relationship between IQ and anthropometric dimensions of the body. In girls, there was a weak correlation between IQ and head width, head height, brain volume, and brain weight.

For growth monitoring of brain, head circumference (HdC) reference data are needed. Rapid increase in the HdC is usually seen within first few years of life which marks histological changes in the brain. However, in Pakistan, there is a dearth of research on the potential use of HdC measurements. We aimed to develop the age and gender specific smoothed HdC growth reference charts for the Pakistani children, aged 2 to 5 years. A representative cross-sectional sample of 1474 Pakistani children, aged 2 - 5 years, was studied. Age and gender specific smoothed HdC growth reference values and their charts were obtained using the lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) statistical method. The smoothed HdC percentiles (3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th and 97th) were calculated and their charts were drawn. The percentile values of HdC increased with age in both sexes. The boys had more increase in HdC percentiles than the girls had, except for the 95th and 97th percentiles. Comparison of 50th percentiles of HdC with those of the other countries demonstrated that the Pakistani children had substantially lower HdC percentiles than their counterparts in the other populations. The results showed that reference values for the HdC were smaller than the corresponding reference values provided by the World Health Organization. Therefore, it is suggested that each country should produce its own HdC growth charts because the use of the charts of other countries as standards may provide misleading information of the children population under study.

Silymarin is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal silymarin administration during the gestational period on fetal growth.
This experimental study was conducted on 24 virgin female BALB/c mice weighing 20-30 grams. One male animal was caged with two females overnight, and they were examined for the presence of a vaginal plug in the next morning. Presence of vaginal plugs was considered to be gestational day zero (GD0). The mice were randomly divided into four groups, including three groups of pregnant mice administered with silymarin via intraperitoneal injection at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day (groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) during GD6-15 (organogenesis) and a control group. Animals in the control group received normal saline via the same route in equivalent volumes. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18.0, and the pathological scores were compared using Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, and Dunn’s multiple comparison tests. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Administration of silymarin had no effect on the weight gain of the mothers. However, placental weight gain decreased in the second and third group compared to the other groups (P≤0.001). In addition, head circumference was observed to reduce in all the treatment groups compared to the control group (P≤0.001). Also, the findings showed significant differences in the resorption rate and weight gain in all the treatment groups compared to the control group (P=0.001).
According to the results, silymarin administration during gestation may lower weight gain and decrease placental circumference in the fetus of mice.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the major causes of physical and mental disabilities, which are preventable and treatable. This study aimed to investigate physical growth and to evaluate the effectiveness of performed therapeutic interventions on normality of serum T4 and TSH levels in children with CH of Yazd city.
This retrospective cohort study was performed on all neonates with CH, who were born during years 2006 and 2008. The growth pattern of height, weight and head circumference during the first five years of children with CH and the effectiveness of performed therapeutic interventions on normality of serum T4 and TSH levels were evaluated. The collected data were analyzed using the 22nd version of the SPSS software.
The pattern of height, weight, and head circumference of the girls with CH was comparable with the growth pattern of NCHS of healthy individuals. The pattern of height and weight growth of boys with CH gradually became similar to the growth pattern of NCHS of healthy boys. However, there was a decline in their head circumference growth trend after six months of age. Also it was revealed that therapeutic interventions had an appropriate effect on normalization of serum TSH, T4 levels and growth pattern in CH children under treatment.
After treatment and care for these patients, the growth patterns and serum T4 and TSH levels of these children reached a normal and desirable range.

Head circumference (HC) measurement is one of the important parameter for diagnosis of neurological, developmental disorders and dysmorphic syndromes. Recognition of different disorders requires an understanding of normal variation for HC size, in particular, in infancy period with most rapid growth of the brain. Because of international and interracial standard chart differences about anthropometric indices, some differences from local to local, generation to generation and changes in ethnic mix of population and socioeconomic factors, periodic revolution of HC size is suggested. The aims of our study were presenting local HC standard for an Iranian infant population and comparison with the American national center of health statistics (NCHS) charts accepted by WHO. 1003 subjects aged from birth to 24 months apparently healthy normal children enrolled randomly in this cross sectional study. HC size were measured and recorded. Tables and graphs were depicted by Excel Microsoft Office 2007. We use two tailed t-student test for statistical analysis. The mean of HC size in boys was larger than girls. The curves were followed a similar pattern to NCHS based on a visual comparison. Overall our subjects in both sexes at birth time had smaller HC size than NCHS. In other ages our children had larger HC size than those of NCHS. Because of international and interracial difference of HC size. We recommend in each area of the world, local anthropometric indices are constructed and used clinically. In addition more extensive and longitudinally design comprehensive studies is suggested.

Admission of low birth-weight (LBW) neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) causes their deprivation of tactile and sensory stimulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy of body massage on growth parameters (weight, height and head circumference) gain velocity of LBW in Yazd, Iran. A randomized clinical trial study was conducted on LBW neonates whom were admitted to NICU of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran from March to December 2011. Neonates were randomly assigned to two groups. In group one, 20 neonates were received massage three times in a day for consecutive 14 days by their mothers. In group two, intervention consisted of standard and routine care as control group. The primary endpoints were efficacy in increase of mean of weight, height and head circumference that were evaluated 14 days after intervention, at ages one and two months. Secondary outcome was clinical side effects. 17 girls and 23 boys with mean gestational age of 34.4±1.22 weeks were evaluated. In the body massage group, only weight at the age of two months was significantly higher than the control group (mean±SD: 3250±305 vs. 2948±121 gr, p=0.005). No adverse events were seen in the two groups. Body massage might be used as an effective and safe non-medical intervention for increasing of weight gain velocity in LBW preterm neonates.