During a physical assessment of a 12-month-old, the head circumference equals the chest circumference. What is the appropriate action?

• A. Suspect the presence of hydrocephalus
• B. Suggest to the pediatrician that a skull x-ray be performed
• C. Tell the mother that the infant is growing faster than expected
• D. Document these measurements in the infant's health-care record

Answer: (D)

In infancy, growth is tracked by comparing head size to body measurements over time. By about 12 months, the head circumference and chest circumference are often similar, and this equality can be a normal finding. The right action is to document these measurements in the infant’s health-care record so you can monitor the trajectory on growth charts and catch any future changes early. This keeps the assessment grounded in ongoing observation rather than jumping to conclusions or initiating unnecessary tests.

If future measurements show the head circumference enlarging significantly while the chest remains smaller, that would warrant further evaluation. But with equal measurements at this age, documenting and continuing routine monitoring is appropriate.