The measure of cranial growth gives a global indication of the growth and development of the brain. The head circumference is very important measurement because it is related to intracranial volume and permits an estimation of rate of brain growth. Earlier reported work indicates that socioeconomic and nutritional status affects the growth even within the ethnic group. The present study is longitudinal study based upon female children of two endogamous groups of Punjab i.e. Jat-Sikh and Bania. A total of 160 female children (80 each group) ranging in age from birth to 3years were measured anthropometrically at the interval of 3 months in first 2 years and thereafter 6 months up to the age of 3 years. The head growth is most rapid within the first three years of life, primarily owing to the development of brain. It was observed that head circumference was statistically non-significant (p > 0.05) amongst Jat Sikh and Bania females.

Keywords: Head circumference (HC), longitudinal study, age, anthropometric data.

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Navjot Kaur

Department of Anatomy,

Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Bathinda

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