[WWW - 2023.07.31]

Data Element Detail

Product of birth-head circumference, total centimetres
Identifying and Definitional Attributes
QH 042081 v2
Data Element
Data Element
Draft
12-Dec-2018		Current
16-Mar-2021
Standard
Information Management Strategic Governance Committee (IMSGC), Queensland Health
01-Jul-2019
The head circumference of a baby at birth, measured in centimetres.
Queensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC)
Head circumference at birth (QPDC)
Representational Attributes
Real
Quantitative Value
N(2).N
4
4
Permissible Values

Permissible_values

Valid values in the range 00.0 - 99.7
Supplementary Values

Supplemenary_values

CodeDescription
99.8Not measured
99.9Not stated/unknown
Collection and Usage Attributes
This metadata item applies to newborn babies. It enables the calculation of growth centiles which requires the measurement of head circumference and birth weight and/or length. Baby head circumference together with other anthropometric measurements assist with determining whether a baby is small for gestational age or has experienced intrauterine growth restriction. In addition, head circumference measurement enables identification of newborns with microcephaly, either primary or as an association with other pathology, for example, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Head circumference should preferably be measured in the first hour of life at the same time as the birthweight is measured, to maximise comparability of these two measures in percentile calculations. A narrow, flexible, inelastic tape measure with clearly legible intervals and labels should be used.

Ideally the circumference should be plotted on a percentile chart to ensure it is within the 10th-90th percentile curves and consistent with the length and weight percentile.
Queensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC):
Must be a number to one decimal place in the range 00.0-99.9.
Must not be null.
The maximum head circumference should be recorded. Often after birth, the newborn's head has some moulding so care needs to be taken to find the maximum circumference. Generally this is found with the tape passing just above the eyebrows anteriorly, above the top of the ears and around the maximum point of the occiput posteriorly - the Occipito-Frontal Circumference (OFC).

The measurement should be repeated at least twice, and until two measurements are found within 0.5 cm of each other. Record the greater measurement.

Baby head circumference can be recorded as measured e.g. 35.1 cm or can be rounded to the nearest 0.5 cm, e.g. 35.0 cm, but in any case measurement should be recorded at least to the nearest 0.5 cm.

If rounding, round up or down to the nearest 0.5 cm, e.g. 35.2 cm would be rounded down to 35.0 cm; 35.3 cm would be rounded up to 35.5 cm.

Example:
A baby has two head circumference measurements taken at birth of 34.2 cm and 34.6 cm. These are within 0.5 cm of each other so the higher measurement of 34.6 cm is the correct one to record. It can be recorded as 34.6 cm or rounded to the nearest 0.5 cm, that is, 34.5 cm.

Queensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC):
Do not transmit the decimal point. Transmit as a three character string, zero filled from the left.

For national reporting of the Product of birth-head circumference, total centimetres (NHDD) data element values 99.8 (Not measured) and 99.9 (Not stated/unknown) are mapped to value 999.9 Not measured.
Relational Attributes
Related Metadata References

Related Metadata References_IR

  • 1 - 2
ViewRelationshipMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifier & VersionApproval Status
SupersedesData ElementData ElementBirth-head circumference, total centimetresQH 042081 Version 1Superseded
Relates toData ElementData Element ConceptProduct of birthQH 040403 Version 1Current
Implementation in Metadata Sets

Implemented

  • 1 - 3
ViewMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifer & VersionObligationApproval StatusEffective FromEffective To
Information AssetData CollectionQueensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC)QH 020003 Version 2MandatoryCurrent01-Jul-2019
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC) Baby Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2019-2020QH 020570 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-201930-Jun-2020
Data Supply RequirementHHS Service AgreementQueensland Perinatal Data Collection (QPDC) Baby Data Supply Requirement (DSR) 2020-2021QH 020700 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-202030-Jun-2021
Source and Reference Attributes
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
METeOR data element: Product of birth-head circumference, total centimetres NN[N].N, Identifier 695727, Health standard 12/12/2018: https://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/695727/meteorItemView/long
CRDI; CRDI QPDC; Head circumference; Head size;