Skull volume in infants. Methodology, normal values, and application.

Skull volume was determined from measurements on roentgenograms in 53 infants with normally shaped skulls. A positive relationship existed between occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) and skull volume. Formulas related OFC to skull volume for each sex at different age intervals were computed. With these formulas and published data, percentile ranks for skull volume were calculated for age and sex. In seven infants with abnormally shaped skulls, the relationship between OFC and skull volume differed from infants with normally shaped skulls. The OFC was not a reliable indicator of cranial volume in infants with abnormally shaped skulls. Serial determination of skull volume is proposed as a method of following the brain growth of these infants.