Summary: Occipitofrontal head circumference (OFC), using tape, and calibrated scale and cranial volumes, using styrofoam plastic cast, were measured in nine preterm and 13 term infants. Term infants had a mean ± S.E. gestation of 40 ± 0.2 wk and a mean ± S.E. birth weight of 3461 ± 108 g. Preterm infants had a mean ± S.E. gestation of 30.5 ± 1.4 wk and a mean ± S.E. birth weight of 1596 ± 211 g. Five sequential measurements were made on term infants and nine such measurements were done on preterm infants at specified time intervals. The values of cranial volume were compared with previously published results in term infants. Brain weight and cranial volumes were also compared in 10 preterm infants and seven term infants who died of non-intracranial pathology. To determine if this method is reproducible, it was tested using 50 paired measurements and was found to be within 3%. There was a significant decrease in cranial volume in term and preterm infants with time. Term infants reached the control value at 64 h of age and preterm infants reached the control value at 160 h of age. Preterm infants showed a significant decrease in OFC but term infants did not. The rate of change was not significantly different in either group. We conclude, (1) cranial volume can be measured accurately and are reproducible in term and preterm infants by non-invasive means; (2) OFC decreases about 2% in preterm infants by 1 wk and cranial volume decreases by 5% in term infants and 7% in preterm infants in the first week of life; and (3) OFC is not a reliable method of measurement of brain growth in term neonates in the first week of life.
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