Tables of cranial and orbital measurements, cranial volume, and derived indexes in males and females from 7 days to 20 years of age

A series of head measurements were made in both sexes during the growth period from 7 days to 20 years of age. The measurements included head circumference, breadth, length, and height as well as interpupillary distance and the lateral orbital and medial canthal dimensions; all were expressed as means ± standard deviation in centimeters. In addition, cranial volumes were calculated from the three cranial dimensions according to a previosuly validated formula, and various cranial and orbital indexes were determined for all growth stages. The increments of all measurements are greatest during the first 12 months of life. At 1 year of age, the cranial volume has increased by a factor of 2.3 and the head circumference, cranial breadth, length, and height by a factor of 1.4 over that at birth. Subsequently the pace of growth slows; at 5 years of age cranial volume has increased up to a total factor of about 3 while head circumference and the other three cranial measurements have expanded by a factor of about 1.5 over the dimensions at birth. By 20 years of age the cranial volume is about 3.8 times that at birth, and the head circumference and the three principal cranial dimensions have increased by a total factor of about 1.6. Clinical applications of the measurements, cranial volume, and certain indexes are listed.