Normal breast sizes - is there a norm? The problem of large mammary glands. Why measure the circumference of the head and chest in children? How to measure a woman's breast size

^ Average chest circumference in girls 7-17 years old

Age, years	M, cm	± SE
7	59,4	0,3
8	61,9	0,9
9	62,9	0,9
10	65,9	0,8
11	69,9	1,9
12	75,2	1,9
13	78,2	2,6
14	79,0	3,0
15	80,7	1,3
16	80,7	0,9
17	81,4	0,7

As follows from the data in the table, the chest circumference slowly increases from 59.4 cm at 7 years to 75.2 cm in the year of the onset of menstruation. By the age of 14, the average value of the estimated indicator reaches 79.0 cm.At the age of 15-16, the dimensions of the chest circumference turned out to be equivalent - 80.7 cm, in girls of 17 years, the chest circumference was 81.4 cm.

The centile values ​​of the chest circumference presented in
table, showed that at the age of 7 years, the majority of girls have
chest circumference ranged from 58 to 60 cm.

^ Centile chest circumference

girls 7-17 years

Age,	3	10	25	50	75	90	97
years	centile
7	56	57	58	59	60	62	63
8	56	58	60	62	64	67	68
9	58	59	61	63	64	67	71
10	61	62	64	66	68	69	72
11	62	64	67	70	72	76	80
12	65	69	72	75	78	81	84
13	69	71	76	78	80	83	90
14	71	72	75	79	82	87	90
15	74	76	78	80	82	85	89
16	77	78	78	80	81	83	86
17	77	78	79	81	83	85	88

At the age of 14, the range of values ​​for the majority of schoolgirls was 7
cm (75-82 cm). By the end of puberty, at age 17,
the prevailing number of surveyed chest circumference was
equal to 79-83 cm. As a result of the studies carried out,
progressive increase in chest circumference, persisting
even girls 15-17 years old. Its most significant increases
were recorded between 10 and 11, 11 and 12 years, equal to 4.0 cm (18.2%) and 5.3
cm (24.0%). It should be noted that at the age of 15 and 16 years, the values ​​of this
parameters are equivalent.

Age-related dynamics of changes in the circumference of the chest
was uneven. Before 11 years, standard deviations were
the least pronounced and closest to each other (1.7-3.3 cm). V
in subsequent age groups, the range of values ​​was more pronounced and

Peaked at 14 years (6.4 cm), which indicated significant
individual differences. After 15 years, individual fluctuations
the circumference of the chest decreased and at the age of 17 was 3.1 cm.

The compiled centile tables allowed us to assess the degree
the harmony of physical development of girls of all studied ages, in
including taking into account health groups.

According to the results of the study, it was revealed that physical development
girls 7 and 8 years old in most cases (79.3% and 82.1%)
is harmonious. However, I noticed that approximately every
the fifth girl (20.7% and 17.9%, respectively) had disharmony
physical development, manifested by the lagging of body weight from height.
A pronounced asthenic body type was found in 4.7% of girls 7
years and 1.3% - 8 years.

Among schoolgirls 9-10 years old, the number of harmoniously developed girls
increased slightly - up to 89.9% and 91.5%, respectively. The identified
patterns were observed both in absolutely healthy girls and in
girls of 2 and 3 health groups.

Similar trends in the physical development of girls continued
persist up to 12 years.

In 12-13 year old girls, based on the data obtained, again
an increase in the frequency of disharmony in physical development was noted. So,
for example, at the age of 10, 8.5% of those surveyed turned out to be disharmoniously developed,
and at the age of 13, the frequency of their detection was 20.6%. Moreover, in this age
period, it was not possible to identify the dependence of the degree of harmony of development on
the general health of girls. Percentage of girls with harmonious
development in health groups 1 and 3 was equal to 75 and 73, respectively,
similarly, the frequency of detection was disharmoniously correlated (20% and 19.2%) and
sharply disharmonious (5% and 7.5%) developed girls.

^ The ratio of the degrees of harmony of physical development
surveyed girls 7-17 years old,%

Age, years	harmony	Moderate	Sharp
		disharmony	disharmony
7	79,3	16,0	4,7
8	82,1	16,6	1,3
9	89,9	5,9	4,2
10	91,5	5,5	3,0
11	86,0	11,0	3,0
12	83,5	13,0	3,5
13	79,4	15,3	5,3
14	83,9	12,4	3,7
"15	81,0	14,5	4,5
16	87,8	ID	1,1
17	83,2	14,1	2,7

At the age of 14, while maintaining the above
patterns, we registered a significant difference in indicators
harmony of physical development of girls of different health groups, not
identified earlier. In health group 3, they were harmoniously developed
68.0% of the surveyed, and disharmoniously - 32.0%, while in groups 1 and 2
health, the number of harmoniously developed ranged from 80.0% to 93.0%.

From the age of 15, as shown by the example of dynamics
basic parameters of physical development, growth slows down, decreases
weight gain and chest circumference. Entry into
the final stage of physical maturation is reflected in the indicators
harmonious development of girls.

In the period from 15 to 17 years, no significant
redistribution of the frequency of harmoniously and disharmoniously developed girls.

Moreover, in the group of 15-17 year old schoolgirls, it was not possible to identify an explicit
the dependence of the harmony of development on the level of general health.

In an assessment of puberty carried out in all 2,000 girls, 7-
17 years old, focused on determining the degree
the severity of secondary sexual characteristics in the studied age
groups, identifying the age of menarche and the characteristics of the formation
menstrual cycle. In addition, an important indicator of development is
configuration of the bone pelvis.

Attention was drawn to the synchronicity of the increase in all studied
the size of the pelvis within each age group. As a result
coherence increase in size form of overwhelming majority
of the pelvic bones of the examined girls corresponded to the female
morphotype.

We have identified 3 main age periods of active increase
the size of the pelvis in the surveyed girls - at 8-9 years old, 10-12 years old and at 15-16 years old.
The most intense growth is seen in the age range from 10 to 12 years,
that is, on the eve of menarche. The intertrochanteric size increased by 3 cm,
intercrestal and Interspinous by 2.4 and 2.5 cm and external conjugate - by 2.6
cm, which accounted for a third of the total increase in the size of the pelvis from 7 to 17
years. In the next 2 years, there was a slight slowdown in the growth rate
pelvic bones, with a predominance of an increase in transverse dimensions (by 0.9-
1.1 cm) above the outer conjugate (0.5 cm). By the age of 17, total growth
intertrochanteric size was 8.3, intercrestal - 7.5, interspinous -
7.0 and external conjugates - 6.4 cm.

^ Indicators of the size of the pelvis in girls 7-17 years old

Age,	Interspinous	Intercrestal	Intertrochanteric	Outdoor
years	the size	the size	the size	conjugate
7	16.9 ± 0.3	19.0 ± 0.03	21.2 ± 0.04	12.5 ± 0.04
8	17.5 ± 0.03	19.6 ± 0.04	21.7 ± 0.04	13.4 ± 0.05
9	18.5 ± 0.08	20.8 ± 0.06	23.0 ± 0.07	14.0 ± 0.05
10	18.7 ± 0.05	21.3 ± 0.06	23.5 ± 0.07	14.4 ± 0.07
11	20.3 ± 0.1	22.8 ± 0.1	25.3 ± 0.1	16.0 ± 0.08
12	21.2 ± 0.08	23.7 ± 0.1	26.5 ± 0.2	17.0 ± 0.07
13	21.7 ± 0.1	24.4 ± 0.1	27.4 ± 0.2	17.4 ± 0.1
14	22.2 ± 0.5	24.6 ± 0.1	27.6 ± 0.1	17.5 ± 0.1
15	22.5 ± 0.06	25.0 ± 0.09	28.1 ± 0.1	17.9 ± 0.06
16	23.5 ± 0.04	26.0 ± 0.06	28.9 ± 0.1	18.6 ± 0.08
17	23.9 ± 0.03	26.5 ± 0.06	29.5 ± 0.08	18.9 ± 0.03

The following tables show the centile distributions
the external dimensions of the pelvis in girls for the studied age period.

^ Centile values ​​of the interspinous size of the pelvis in girls 7-17

Age,	3	10	25	50	75	90	97
years	centile
7	15,9	16	16,5	17	17,5	18	18
8	16	16,9	17	17,5	18	18	19
9	17	17,5	18	18,5	19	19,2	20
10	17,5	18	18	18,5	19	20	20
11	18	18,5	19	20,1	21,2	22	22
12	19	19,5	20,5	21,3	22	22,3	23
13	19	20	21	21,8	22,5	22,6	23
14	20	20,5	21,2	21,9	22,5	23	24
15	21	21,5	22	22,5	23	24	24
16	22	22,5	23	23,5	24	24	24,5
17	22,5	23	23	23,5	24	25	25

^ Centile values ​​of the intercrestal size of the pelvis in girls 7-17

Age,	3	10	25	50	75	90	97
years	centile
7	18	18	18,5	19	19,5	20	20
8	18	19	19	19,5	20	20,5	21
9	19	20	20	20,8	21,5	22	22,5
10	20	20	20,5	21,3	22	22,5	23
11	20,5	21	21,8	22,8	23,8	24,2	24,6
12	21	22	23	23,8	24,6	25	25,6
13	22	22,5	24	24,8	25,5	25,9	26
14	22,5	23	24	24,8	25,5	26	26,8
15	23,5	24	24,5	25,2	25,8	26,5	27
16	24,5	25	25	25,5	26	27	27
17	25	25	26	26,5	27	28	28

^ Centile values ​​of the intertrochanteric size of the pelvis in girls

Age,	3	10	25	50	75	90	97
years	centile
7	20	20	20,8	21,4	22	22	22
8	20	21	21	21,6	22,2	22,5	23
9	21,5	22	22,2	22,9	23,5	24	25
10	22	22,4	23	23,6	24,2	24,8	25
11	23	23,5	24	25	26	26,8	25
12	23,6	24,5	25,5	26,8	28	28,3	28
13	24,3	25	26,2	27,4	28,5	29	29
14	25	26	26,5	27,5	28,5	29,5	29
15	26	26,5	27	28	29	30	30
16	27	27,5	28	28,8	29,5	30	30,5
17	27	28	29	29,5	30	31	31,5

^ Centile values ​​of the external conjugate of the pelvis in girls 7-17

Age,	3	10	25	50	75	90	97
years	centile
7	11,8	11,8	12,2	12,5	12,8	13	13,3
8	12	12,5	12,8	13,4	14	14,5	14,7
9	12,5	13	13,5	14	14,5	14,8	15,5
10	13	13,5	13,8	14,3	14,8	15	17
11	13,8	14,5	15	15,8	16,5	17,5	18,3
12	14,8	15,8	16,2	16,9	17,5	18	18,5
13	15	15,5	16,5	17,5	18,5	18,6	19
14	15	15,6	16,5	17,5	18,4	18,9	19,5
15	15,8	16,8	17,5	18	18,5	19	19,5
16	17,5	17,8	18	18,5	19	19,2	19,5
17	17,5	18	18,5	19	19,5	19,5	20

Centile assessment of the size of the pelvis, taking into account age, allowed more
fully characterize the harmonious development of not only the bone pelvis, but
and general physical development of schoolgirls in Nalchik.

Immediately after birth, the child's head and chest circumference is measured, and then during the first year of life, this is done regularly at an appointment with a pediatrician and neurologist. For what?

With the help of these indicators, the physical development of the child is assessed and some deviations in the state of his health are identified.

Approximate indicators of head and chest circumference in children

child's age	approximate head circumference (in cm)	Approximate chest circumference (in cm)
newborn	33 — 36	32 — 36
1 month	35 — 38	33 — 38
3 months	38 — 42	38 — 42
6 months	42 - 45,5	42 — 47
9 months	43,5 - 47,5	45 — 49
1 year	45 — 49	47 — 51
2 years	47 - 50,5	49 - 53,5
3 years	48,5 — 51,5	50 — 55
5 years	50 — 53	53 — 58
7 years	50,5 - 54,5	56 — 63
10 years	51,5 — 56	62 - 71,5
14 years old	52 - 57,5	73 — 84

As can be seen from the table, the spread of these indicators is quite significant.

Head circumference in the first year of a child's life

Most of all, parents and doctors are concerned about deviations in the size of the child's head, especially in the first year of life.

If the child's head was measured and it turned out that its dimensions are slightly outside the age norm, this is not yet a cause for concern. Perhaps the child was born large and is ahead of his peers in height and weight, in which case the size of his head may go beyond the age norms. The same can be the case when the child has a small head, if the child was born prematurely or small in time (with intrauterine growth retardation). Severe malformations lead to large deviations in the size of the head in children, this can be noticed without measurements.

The absolute figures are not as important as the head growth rate and the ratio of the head circumference to the chest circumference. Therefore, if the absolute values ​​of the head circumference go beyond the age norms, dynamic observation is always assigned - monitoring the head (and chest) circumference on a monthly basis to track the growth rate.

Immediately after birth and in life, the head circumference is usually 1–2 cm greater than the chest circumference. In these two circles become the same, and even older, the chest circumference should be greater than the head circumference.

Normally, in the first half of life, the head circumference grows by about 1.5 cm per month and by 9-10 cm in 6 months. In the second half of life, the child's head grows at a rate of about 0.5 cm per month, and grows by 3-4 cm in 6 months.

Fontanelles

In addition to the size of the head, its shape matters, as well as the presence or absence of fontanelles.

The size of the large fontanelle is estimated. The large fontanelle is the junction of the frontal and parietal bones, which in infants is filled with soft connective tissue, later this soft septum is replaced by bone tissue.

Its size in children from 3x3 cm during the neonatal period gradually decreases by 6 months to 1.5x1.5 cm, by 1-1.5 years, the fontanel is completely closed.

Sometimes, by the time the child is born, the small fontanel remains open: the junction of the parietal and occipital bones, it is located at the back of the head. Normally, it can be determined in premature babies; in a full-term baby, this is worth paying attention to.

If the size of the child's head and the rate of its growth correspond to age, but at the same time the head circumference is 3; at 6 or at 9; months exceeds the circumference of the chest, the child is probably underweight, you need to adjust the diet.

Big head

If the size of the head is larger than the age norm, and the head is growing too quickly, the child will need an additional examination.

First of all, a consultation with a neurologist will be required to exclude intracranial hypertension. This condition is characterized by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain or in the space between the substance of the brain and its membranes. Excessive fluid build-up puts pressure on the brain and the bones of the skull from the inside, causing the baby's head to grow faster than usual.

Therefore, children with intracranial hypertension have a large head, large fontanelles that do not close for a long time, and soft (pliable) seams of the skull (the junction of the cranial bones).

The most characteristic clinical symptoms of intracranial hypertension in children is the Graefe eye symptom: lagging of the child's upper eyelid when looking down, and tilting the child's head during sleep.

You will also need to consult an ophthalmologist with an examination of the fundus, where signs of intracranial hypertension may be varicose veins and venous congestion.

In addition, neurosonography (ultrasound of the brain) will be required. On ultrasound, signs of intracranial hypertension are the expansion of the ventricles of the brain and the interhemispheric groove.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, the neurologist prescribes treatment, but in order to evaluate its effectiveness in the future, control over the growth of the head circumference will again be required.

An increase in head circumference can be with rickets, due to a change in its shape, protrusion of the parietal and frontal tubercles, and flattening of the occiput. With rickets, there is also pliability of the seams and the large size of the fontanel, so you should pay attention to other signs of rickets: sweating, fearfulness, baldness of the back of the head, curvature of the limbs, late teething, rickets rosary on the ribs, etc. In this case, the appointment of vitamin D will be required.

Small head

If the child's head is smaller than the age norm, with normal chest circumference, the examination also begins with a neurologist. Here it will be necessary to exclude 2 rare diseases of microcephaly (occurs with a frequency of 0.6-1.6 per 10,000 births) and craniostenosis (occurs in 2 out of 10,000 newborns).

Microcephaly

Microcephaly is a decrease in the mass of the brain by more than 25% of the age norm, and, as a consequence, a decrease in the size of the skull, early closure of the fontanelles, etc.

The reasons may be hereditary factors, congenital anomalies, intrauterine infections during pregnancy (flu, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection), alcoholism of the parents. In such cases, the diagnosis is usually made by ultrasound during pregnancy (in this case, it is possible to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons) or immediately after the birth of the child.

But harmful factors, such as the same intrauterine infections in the last months of pregnancy, hypoxia during childbirth, birth trauma, neuroinfections in the first days and months of a child's life can cause a delay in brain growth after birth, respectively, the baby's head will grow more slowly and earlier fontanelles close.

Therefore, if the child's head grows too slowly, the same examinations are waiting for him: an ophthalmologist's consultation with an eye fundus examination and an ultrasound of the brain (which can be difficult due to the early closure of the large fontanelle).

The treatment will be aimed at improving blood circulation in the brain and fighting infection, and at the all-round development of the child.

Craniostenosis

Craniostenosis is a congenital malformation of the bones of the skull, in which one or more or all of the cranial sutures are prematurely infected. In this case, the child's brain develops normally, but the prematurely fused bones of the skull prevent its normal growth, as a result of which intracranial pressure increases and the above-described syndrome of intracranial hypertension appears with a small head circumference. When one suture is overgrown, various deformities of the skull occur, which draw attention to themselves.

Despite the smaller size of the head, fontanelles in craniostenosis remain open for a long time, as a compensatory mechanism that somewhat reduces the increased intracranial pressure.

On ultrasound, the ventricles of the brain and the interhemispheric sulcus will not be dilated, in some cases they may be less than normal.

In case of suspicion of craniostenosis, in addition to a neurologist and an ophthalmologist, a neurosurgeon's consultation will be required, since in cases of a decompensated form of craniostenosis (paroxysmal headaches, vomiting, severe congestion in the fundus), a neurosurgical operation is necessary, and, often it is most effective, at the first year of the child's life.

In the case of a compensated form, the child will be observed and treated by a pediatric neurologist.

How to correctly measure the circumference of a child's head

In all cases when deviations in the size of the child's head are detected in the first year of life, dynamic monitoring of its growth will be required - i.e. monthly measurement of head circumference. centimeter tape.

To avoid measurement errors (different tapes from different doctors), parents are advised to purchase a separate measuring tape for their child. You can take it with you to an appointment, as well as independently measure the head circumference of your child at home.

When measuring, the measuring tape should pass through the most protruding parts of the head: the eyebrows, above the auricles, the most protruding part of the back of the head.

Fortunately, most often all deviations in the size of the child's head turn out to be his individual characteristics and do not lead to bad consequences.

Below is a calculator for calculating the indicator of the circumference of the baby's chest.

Enter the baby's gender, age and breast circumference value, click the "Show result" button and you will see a comparison of your baby's indicator with the standard encyclopedic normal.

But we know that this is just a comparative characteristic and nothing more. There is no more need to look at many tables and look for the necessary indicator among a huge number of numbers, it still means little, better spend this time with your loved ones.

If you care about the health of your child and want to find out how much his height, weight, chest circumference correspond to the average values, you can use our other calculators:

Measurement of the chest circumference is carried out in infants in a supine position, in older children - standing. The child should be calm, keep his hands down. An ordinary, flexible centimeter is suitable for measurement. The measurement is taken at the widest point, roughly in the front at the level of the nipples, at the back at the level of the shoulder blades. First, measurements are taken on inspiration, then on expiration. For comparison, the average value of the chest circumference is taken.

The circumference of the chest, as well as the weight of the child, speaks of his physical development.

Chest circumference chart for boys from 0 to 17 years old

Age	Very low	Short	Below the average	Average	Above the average	High	Very tall
Newborn	31,7	32,3	33,5	34,8	36,6	36,8	37,8
1 month	33,3	34,1	35,2	36,5	37,9	38,9	40,2
2 months	35,0	35,7	36,9	38,3	39,8	40,8	42,0
3 months	36,3	36,5	37,2	38,4	39,9	41,6	42,7
4 months	37,9	38,6	39,8	41,4	43,4	44,6	45,9
5 months	39,3	40,1	41,2	42,9	45,0	45,7	47,6
6 months	40,6	41,5	42,5	44,3	46,3	47,6	49,0
7 months	41,7	42,5	43,6	45,5	47,5	48,9	50,1
8 months	42,7	43,5	44,5	46,4	48,5	49,9	51,1
9 months	43,6	44,4	45,4	47,2	49,3	50,8	52,0
10 months	44,3	45,1	46,1	47,9	50,0	51,4	52,8
11 months	44,8	45,6	46,6	48,4	50,6	52,0	53,5
1 year	45,3	46,1	47,0	48,7	51,0	52,5	54,2
1 year 3 months	46,0	46,8	47,9	49,8	51,9	53,4	55,1
1 year 6 months	46,5	47,4	48,6	50,4	52,4	53,9	55,6
1 year 9 months	47,0	47,9	49,1	50,8	52,9	54,3	56,0
2 years	47,6	48,4	49,5	51,4	53,2	54,7	56,4
2 years 3 months	47,9	48,7	49,9	51,7	53,4	55,2	56,8
2 years 6 months	48,2	49,0	50,3	52,0	53,9	55,5	57,3
2 years 9 months	48,4	49,3	50,5	52,3	54,2	55,8	57,7
3 years	48,6	49,7	50,8	52,8	54,6	56,4	58,2
3.5 years	49,2	50,3	51,5	53,1	55,0	57,1	59,0
4 years	50,0	51,2	52,4	53,8	55,8	58,0	59,9
4.5 years	50,8	52,0	53,3	54,7	56,9	59,0	61,2
5 years	51,3	52,8	54,0	55,6	58,0	60,0	62,6
5.5 years	52,2	53,5	55,0	56,6	59,1	61,3	63,7
b years	53,0	54,4	56,0	57,7	60,2	62,5	65,1
6.5 years	53,8	55,2	57,0	58,8	61,3	63,8	66,4
7 years	54,6	56,2	57,9	59,8	62,3	65,1	67,9
8 years	56,2	58,0	60,0	61,9	64,8	67,8	70,8
9 years	57,7	59,6	61,9	64,1	67,0	70,6	73,6
10 years	59,3	61,4	63,8	66,4	69,8	73,6	76,8
11 years	61,1	63,0	66,0	68,9	74,9	76,2	79,8
12 years	62,6	65,0	68,0	71,1	72,1	79,0	82,8
13 years	64,7	67,3	70,2	73,5	78,2	82,1	87,0
14 years old	67,0	69,9	73,1	76,6	81,7	86,3	91,0
15 years	70,0	72,9	76,3	80,2	85,7	90,1	94,3
16 years	73,3	76,2	80,0	84,5	89,9	93,6	97,0
17 years	77,0	80,0	82,9	87,2	92,2	95,5	98,4

How to correctly measure the circumference of a baby's chest

The head circumference of a newly born child is, on average, greater than the circumference of the chest.

For the first year, the head circumference increases on average by 11-12 cm. In the first months, the head grows more intensively, and then its growth slows down. In the first months, the chest of a newborn grows faster than the head, therefore, around the 4th month, the head and chest circumferences become the same, and in a year the chest circumference becomes approximately 2 cm larger than the head circumference, during the first year it increases by an average of 14 -15 cm.

Subsequently, the baby's head circumference will be less than the chest circumference.

Chest circumference chart for girls from 0 to 17 years old

Age	Very low	Short	Below the average	Average	Above the average	High	Very tall
Newborn	31,0	32,0	32,8	34,0	35,2	36,0	37,0
1 month	33,0	34,0	34,9	35,9	37,1	38,1	39,0
2 months	34,6	35,6	36,6	37,7	38,8	39,9	40,9
3 months	36,3	37,3	38,3	39,4	40,5	41,4	42,8
4 months	38,0	38,9	39,8	40,9	42,1	43,0	43,3
5 months	39,5	40,3	41,2	42,3	43,5	44,5	45,7
6 months	40,7	41,6	42,4	43,5	44,7	45,8	47,1
7 months	41,8	42,7	43,6	44,6	45,8	47,2	48,5
8 months	42,8	43,7	44,6	45,7	46,9	48,3	49,8
9 months	43,6	44,5	45,5	46,6	47,8	49,3	50,9
10 months	44,3	45,2	46,2	47,2	48,6	50,1	51,7
11 months	45,0	45,8	46,8	47,8	49,3	50,8	52,3
1 year	45,5	46,3	47,2	48,3	49,9	51,4	52,8
1 year 3 months	46,4	47,3	48,0	49,3	50,8	52,3	53,9
1 year 6 months	47,1	47,8	48,7	49,9	51,3	52,9	54,5
1 year 9 months	47,5	48,2	49,1	50,4	51,9	53,5	55,0
2 years	47,8	48,5	49,5	50,2	52,5	54,0	55,6
2 years 3 months	47,9	48,8	49,8	51,3	53,0	54,5	56,2
2 years 6 months	48,0	49,0	50,0	51,5	53,3	54,9	56,8
2 years 9 months	48,1	49,0	50,0	51,8	53,6	55,5	57,2
3 years	48,2	49,1	50,3	51,8	53,9	56,0	57,6
3.5 years	48,6	49,7	50,9	52,5	54,3	56,2	57,8
4 years	49,2	50,4	51,6	53,2	55,1	56,9	58,6
4.5 years	49,6	51,0	52,3	54,0	55,8	57,8	59,7
5 years	50,4	51,6	53,0	54,8	56,8	58,8	61,0
5.5 years	50,8	52,4	53,8	55,7	57,8	60,0	62,2
b years	51,5	53,0	54,7	56,6	58,8	61,2	63,6
6.5 years	52,3	53,8	55,5	57,5	59,8	62,4	64,7
7 years	53,2	54,6	56,4	58,4	61,0	63,8	66,5
8 years	54,7	56,3	58,2	60,8	64,2	67,6	70,5
9 years	56,3	58,0	60,0	63,4	67,7	71,4	75,1
10 years	58,0	60,0	62,0	66,0	71,3	75,5	78,8
11 years	59,7	62,2	64,4	68,7	74,5	78,6	82,4
12 years	61,9	64,5	67,1	71,6	77,6	81,9	86,0
13 years	643	66,8	69,9	74,6	80,8	85,0	88,6
14 years old	67,0	69,8	73,0	77,8	83,6	87,6	90,9
15 years	70,0	72,9	76,3	80,4	85,6	89,4	92,6
16 years	73,0	75,8	78,8	82,6	87,1	90,6	93,9
17 years	75,4	78,0	80,6	83,8	88,0	91,0	94,5

Boys' head circumference is given in centimeters.

These tables are indicative for determining the chest circumference of a child of average height. The parameters between the segments "below average" and "above average" are considered indicators characterizing the normal chest circumference of the child

Measurement of the chest circumference is carried out in infants in a prone position, in older children - in a standing position. The child should be at rest, hands down. The beginning of the measuring tape should be in the left hand from the side of the armpit, behind the tape is held at the angle of the shoulder blades, and in front - along the lower edge of the areola of the nipple.

The circumference of the chest (as well as body weight) gives an idea of ​​the harmony of physical development.

How to use the table:

If you know the height of the child, you need to use another table (chest circumference, respectively height), which takes into account individual characteristics. The table on this page is more suitable for an approximate determination of the normal chest circumference of a child of average height.

In case the child's height is unknown, use the following instructions.

1. Find the line that corresponds to the approximate age of the child.
For example, if the child is 2 months and 14 days old, then you need to look in the line, but if he is 2 months and 16 days old, then you need to look in the line. Also, if the child turns 12 years old in 4 months, then you need to search for the string.
2. Determine between what values ​​in this line is the circumference of the chest of the child.

• Normal chest circumference the child should be between green and blue values ​​(25-75 centiles) - such a circle corresponds to the harmonious development of a child of this age.
• The chest circumference, which is between the yellow and green values ​​(10-25 centiles), is also normal, but indicates a tendency towards disharmonious development due to the narrowing of the chest.
• The chest circumference, which is in the range between blue and yellow values ​​(75-90 centiles), is also normal, but indicates a tendency towards disharmonious development due to the expansion of the chest.
• The chest circumference, which is between the red and yellow values, is small (3-10 centiles), or increased (90-97 centiles). In this case, it is necessary to check the body weight for a more accurate

Determination of the circumference of the chest and head is carried out to assess the physical development of a person, mainly in childhood, as well as to identify some diseases associated with the respiratory system. The correct algorithm for taking measurements is made by a doctor, his assistant or a nurse using special equipment and appropriate devices. Lung volume is measured using a spirometer.

Measurement of chest circumference in adult men and women

Measurement of the chest circumference is carried out using a measuring tape in a standing position. In this case, a person should be at rest. To do this, the chest is freed from the outer clothing, preferably the lower one, so that the most accurate measurement is obtained. The correct application of the measuring tape should go along the lower edge of the shoulder blades from the back and along the level of 4 ribs in the front. If you look at the external signs, then in men this parameter is measured by the level of the nipples, and in women at the base of the mammary glands or under them. Correct tape application should be tight, but not over-tensioned. It fits in a strictly horizontal position. In an adult, upon reaching a certain age, the development and growth of the chest stops. Changes can occur only in the presence of pathological processes in the patient's body.

For children of the first year of life, such a procedure is included in the category of mandatory, it allows you to determine the individual characteristics and level of physical development of the child for his age.

It is worth noting that usually the average chest circumference in men and boys is 5 cm higher than in women and girls.However, there are a number of reasons that can affect the range of these values, as a result of which it may turn out that the chest large indicators, and this will also be the norm, without any concomitant pathologies.

Together with the chest circumference, the head circumference is measured. The child is seated on a chair or laid. At the back, the centimeter tape is located along the maximum protrusion of the occipital protuberance, in front, it runs along the brow ridges. The growth of the chest takes place especially rapidly in the first years of a child's life and is highly dependent on body weight. During the first 12 months of life, the size of the chest of a newborn will increase by an average of 13 centimeters, which is equal to 50% of the increase in body length over the same period of time. In babies, the circumference of the chest is measured in the supine position. This approach applies to children who are at least 2 years old.

There are averages for changes in chest and head circumference. Anthropometric data are calculated for men and women from birth to becoming an adult:

Age	Boys chest circumference, cm	% from body length	Boys head circumference, cm	% of body length	Girls chest circumference, cm	% of body length	Girls head circumference, cm	% of body length
At the time of birth	33	68	36	68	31	66	35	67
1 month	35	66	37	66	34	65	36	67
2 months	37	66	38	66	36	65	37	68
3 months	38	66	41	65	37	65	39	68
6 months	42	64	43	65	40	64	41	65
9 months	44	64	45	63	43	64	44	64
1 year	45	62	46	62	46	63	45	61
2 years	50	58	47	56	51	60	46	56
3 years	51	55	49	51	51	58	47	52
4 years	52	51	50	50	53	56	49	50
5 years	54	51	51	46	54	53	50	47
6 years	56	49	52	44	56	52	51	43
7 years	57	47	53	42	58	50	51	42
8 years	58	46	53	40	59	47	51	44
9 years	60	46	54	39	62	49	51	45
10 years	63	45	54	39	63	48	52	40
11 years	65	45	54	38	67	48	53	37
12 years	67	46	55	36	70	48	53	35
13 years	70	47	55	35	75	48	54	34
14 years old	75	47	55	34	77	49	54	33
Adult	88	50	56	33	83	50	55	32

Alignment can occur both up and down. At the reception in the doctor's office, an excursion of the chest is measured. This is done by subtracting the expiratory values ​​from the inspiratory values. Normally, it is in the range from 5 to 10 cm. Deviations from it can call into question problems with the lungs. People who go in for sports may also have increased indicators between the upper and lower values ​​by 3-5 centimeters. The general increase in lung volume is observed in professional athletes and can significantly exceed the average value up to 30% or more.

The vital capacity of the lungs is a functional indicator that determines the capabilities of the human respiratory system. A medical device (spirometer) is used to measure. The person stands flat on a horizontal surface and exhales with maximum force into the mouthpiece of the spirometer. A total of 3 such measurements are taken for a more accurate result. The indicators are added and divided by the resulting figure. The measurement accuracy is rounded up to 100 cm³.

Determination of the volume of the lungs

Ludwig's formula is used to evaluate the obtained indicators:

• Calculation for men: VC = 40 * height (cm) + 30 * weight (kg) -4400;

• Calculation for women: VC = 40 * height (cm) + 10 * weight (kg) -3800.

For the formula, you can use the indicators from the table:

Weight, kg	Height, cm
	160	170	180	190	200
	50	3000	3300	3600	3900	4200
60	3300	3600	3900	4200	4500
70	3600	3900	4200	4500	4800
80	3900	4200	4500	4800	5100
90	4200	4500	4800	5100	4400
100	4500	4800	5100	5400	5800

With age, there are deviations in the direction of a decrease in lung volume, including due to a decrease in the level of activity in comparison with young people.

Outcome

Chest circumference, volume and excursion are directly related to the level of a person's physical development and is the most important indicator of the state of health, but there is a reasonable limit to everything and it is worth adhering to the golden mean so as not to injure yourself with excessive loads or their complete absence.