Holt International's Child Nutrition Program is designed to standardize child growth screening
protocols to ensure that children are growing to their full potential.
An important part of this process is anthropometric measurements, which refers to the way that
children are measured and includes measurements like height and weight. This video will demonstrate
proper procedures for measuring head circumference of a child. The routine assessment of a child's
growth provides an important guide to a child's health, development, nutritional status, and
response to treatment or nutrition interventions. Head circumference is a fundamental measurement
for tracking a child's growth. The brain develops most rapidly in the first five years of life.
Tracking a child's head circumference is an important way to ensure brain growth and development
is normal. Measurement techniques. The tools you'll need to measure head circumference include a head
circumference tape, a pin, and a head circumference growth chart. To measure the head circumference
of infants and children up to five years of age, you will need a head circumference measurement tape.
A cloth measuring tape is not appropriate. It is very important to take this measurement quickly
and accurately while using the appropriate tools. The person measuring the child must first wash
their hands. Ensure the head circumference tape is sanitized to avoid the spread of illness.
Place the tape around the child's head. The head circumference tape should be placed above the ears
and midway between the eyebrow and the hairline to the bump at the back of the head.
However, this is a guide and not all children have the same head shape. Adjust your approach
as needed, but keep in mind that your aim is always to measure the largest circumference possible.
Pull the head circumference tape firmly around the child's head
so that the hair is compressed and there is not space between the tape and the child's head.
However, be sure not to pull the tape so tightly that the child's skin bulges around the measurement
tape. Read the measurement between the arrows in the window of the head circumference tape
and call the number out loud. The measurement should be taken to the nearest millimeter
and recorded to the first decimal. Remember, always look for bends or kinks in the head
circumference tape before every use. A bent head circumference tape will not provide accurate
results and should be replaced. Sanitize the head circumference tape before use, between children
and after use. You can always repeat the procedure to verify accuracy, especially if the child was
moving. The tape should be pulled firmly tight around the widest part of the child's head.
Documentation. A single measurement does not reflect the rate of growth. In order to establish
a child's growth trends, the child's measurements must be routinely made and plotted on a growth
chart. Measurements should be immediately recorded into the nutrition screening system.
The nutrition screening system form should be completed within the same day as the child's
measurements. In order to complete the nutrition screening system action plan, growth charts must
be consistently plotted and interpreted. This measurement must be recorded in the child's record
in the nutrition screening system database and must include the date and name of the
measurer and should also be plotted on the head circumference for age growth chart.
There is one growth chart that uses a child's head circumference to determine if they are
meeting developmental targets. The head circumference for age chart measures the child's head
circumference according to their chronological age. Each child should have their own set of growth
charts that track their overall progress. Refer to these charts when determining the child's
overall health status. Watch the growth chart training video to learn more about proper growth
chart plotting and chart interpretation. You may also review the child nutrition training manuals
or corresponding child nutrition training modules. Tracking children's growth consistently and
accurately is one of the best preventative methods for combating malnutrition early
in a child's life. This is just one of five critical indicators of a child's growth and
development. Please review Holt's other child nutrition training videos.
