Normal breast sizes - is there a norm? The problem of large mammary glands. Why is head and chest circumference measured in children? Why do such measurements need to be taken?

The very first numbers that appear in a child’s chart, besides the time and date of birth, are his anthropometric data. Parents and neonatologists pay close attention to the height and weight of the newborn; head circumference and chest volume in children are also considered important indicators. A complete table of these numbers is the main indicators of the baby’s health, its usefulness physical development.

Anthropometric tables

Such tables indicate average data, from which you can determine how correctly the baby is developing. If the deviations from the norm are small, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. If, when measuring any part of the body, the doctor notices serious anomalies, then additional examination will be required.

Average indicators of anthropometric tables help to identify quite severe diseases in the early stages, such as:

weight deficiency;
hydrocephalus (enlarged head);
sternum deformity.

Baby's head and chest circumference

The head circumference of a newly born child is an indicator by which the baby’s growth is subsequently monitored. By comparing the obtained figures with the data recorded at the previous examination, the pediatrician, in the presence of serious deviations, may suspect serious illnesses. The average size of a newborn's head is about 35 cm. Small deviations from the norm around 2-3 centimeters are not considered a problem.

Important! The volume of the head is measured with a soft measuring tape. They pass it in front along the line of the eyebrows, and in the back, along the most protruding part of the occipital protuberance.

Age in months	Chest size in cm	Head circumference in cm
1	35-38	35-40
2	36-39	36-41
3	37-42	38-43
4	39-44	39-44
5	41-45	40-45
6	42-46	41-46
7	43-47	42-47
9	45-48	43-48
10	46-50	44-49
Year	47-51	44-50

In a newborn baby, the chest volume is normally 2-3 cm less than the head circumference. By about the 4th month, these indicators level out. In a one-year-old child, the sternum becomes approximately 2 cm larger than the circumference of the head.

Child's chest

In addition to the volume of the chest, the doctor will definitely look at its shape. Normally it should be conical. The ribs should be at right angles to the spine. During the second half of life, the baby's breast size becomes larger, which is noticeable when measured during an examination by a pediatrician.

How to measure the chest correctly and accurately?

Measuring the sternum circumference of a baby under one year old is not difficult at all. In young children it is measured in a lying position, in older children - standing. At the time of taking measurements, the baby should be calm, arms relaxed, located along the body. The edge of the measuring tape should be placed on the left side of the armpit. From the side of the back it is carried out at an angle of both shoulder blades, along the front part - along the bottom of the areola. Typically, measurements are taken during inhalation and then during exhalation. The difference in these parameters is also important; it reflects the excursion of the sternum, that is, its mobility. Normal excursion should be within 5-8 cm.

Important! Before taking measurements, the doctor must treat the measuring tape with a 70% alcohol solution.

Formula for calculating normal chest size:

For children under 6 months of age, the circumference is calculated using the following formula: 45-2*(6-n).

From 6 months to a year: 45+ 0.5*(n-6), where n is the baby’s age in months.

For older children (up to 10 years old), the calculation will look like this: 63-1.5* (10-n). In this case, n is the age of the children in years.

^ 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 table, chest circumference slowly increases from 59.4 cm at 7 years to 75.2 cm in the year of menstruation. By the age of 14, the average value of the assessed indicator reaches 79.0 cm. At the age of 15-16 years, the chest circumference was equal - 80.7 cm; in 17-year-old girls, the chest circumference was 81.4 cm.

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

^ Centile values of 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 years, the range of values for the majority of schoolgirls was 7
cm (75-82 cm). By the end of puberty, at 17 years of age,
In the majority of those examined, the chest circumference turned out to be
equal to 79-83 cm. As a result of the studies, it was revealed
progressive increase in chest circumference, persistent
even for 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 ages of 15 and 16 years, the value of this
parameters are equivalent.

Age dynamics of changes in chest circumference
happened unevenly. Up to 11 years old standard deviations were
least pronounced and closest to each other (1.7-3.3 cm). IN
in subsequent age groups the range of values was more pronounced and

Reached a maximum at 14 years of age (6.4 cm), which indicated significant
individual differences. After 15 years individual fluctuations
The chest circumference decreased and at 17 years old it was 3.1 cm.

The compiled centile tables allowed us to assess the degree
harmonious 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 - summer age 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 a lag in body weight and height.
A pronounced asthenic body type was identified in 4.7% of girls 7
years and 1.3% - 8 years.

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

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

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

^ Correlation between degrees of harmony of physical development
of examined 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 described
patterns, we registered a significant difference in indicators
harmony of physical development of girls of different health groups, not
previously identified. In the 3rd health group, they turned out to be harmoniously developed
68.0% of those examined, and disharmonious - 32.0%, while in groups 1 and 2
health, the number of harmoniously developed ones ranged from 80.0% to 93.0%.

From the age of 15, as shown in the dynamics
basic parameters of physical development, growth slows down, decreases
increase in body weight 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 frequencies of harmoniously and disharmoniously developed girls.

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

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

What attracted attention was the synchronicity of the increase in all studied
pelvic sizes within each age group. As a result
coherence of increasing size the form of the overwhelming majority
bone pelvises of the examined girls corresponded to female
morphotype.

We have identified 3 main age periods of active increase
pelvic sizes in the examined girls - at 8-9 years, 10-12 years and at 15-16 years.
The most intensive growth was observed 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 amounted to a third of the total increase in pelvic size from 7 to 17
years. In the next 2 years, there was a slight slowdown in growth rates
pelvic bones, with a predominant increase in transverse dimensions (by 0.9-
1.1 cm) above the external conjugate (0.5 cm). By the age of 17, overall growth
intertrochanteric size was 8.3, intercrestal - 7.5, interspinous -
7.0 and external conjugates - 6.4 cm.

^ Indicators of pelvic size in girls 7-17 years old

Age,	Interspinous	Interridge	Intertrochanteric	Outdoor
years	size	size	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 present the centile distributions
external dimensions of the pelvis in girls for the studied age period.

^ Centile values of the interspinous size of the pelvis in girls are 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 intercrestal pelvic size 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 intertrochanteric pelvic size 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 pelvic conjugate 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 pelvic size 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.

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

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

But we know that this is just a comparative characteristic and nothing more. There is no longer any need to look at many tables and look for the required indicator among a huge number of numbers, it still doesn’t mean much, it’s better to 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 corresponds to the average values, you can use our other calculators:

Chest circumference is measured in infants in a supine position, and in older children in a standing position. The child should be calm and keep his hands down. A regular, flexible centimeter is suitable for measuring. The measurement is taken at the widest point, approximately in front at the level of the nipples, at the back at the level of the shoulder blades. First, measurements are taken on inhalation, then on exhalation. For comparison, the average chest circumference is taken.

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

Chest circumference table for boys from 0 to 17 years old

Age	Very low	Short	Below the average	Average	Above 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	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 chest circumference of a child

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

During 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 rib cage a newborn grows faster than the head, so around the 4th month the head and chest circumferences become the same, and per year the chest circumference becomes larger than the head circumference by approximately 2 cm; in the first year it increases by an average of 14-15 cm.

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

Chest circumference table for girls from 0 to 17 years old

Age	Very low	Short	Below the average	Average	Above 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	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 circumferences are indicated in centimeters.

These tables are indicative in nature for determining the chest circumference of a child with average height. Parameters between the segments “below average” and “above average” are considered indicators characterizing the normal circumference of the child’s chest

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

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

How to use the table:

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

If 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 look for the line.
2. Determine between which values in this line the child’s chest circumference lies.

Normal chest circumference the child should be between the 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 a narrowing of the chest.
The chest circumference, which is between the blue and yellow values (75-90 centiles), is also normal, but indicates a tendency towards disharmonious development due to expansion of the chest.
The chest circumference, which is between the red and yellow values, is small (3-10th centile) or increased (90-97th centile). In this case, it is necessary to check your body weight using a more accurate

To assess the condition of the body, doctors have to measure different indicators, each of which has its own characteristics and significance. One of these indicators is chest circumference, which is measured in both children and adults.

Measurement algorithm

The chest circumference allows you to estimate the transverse dimensions of the human body. These sizes have certain standards that doctors are guided by, thanks to which it is possible to find out from the measurement results whether there are deviations in the development of a child or the well-being of an adult.

It should be said that the norms in this case, as in many others, are a relative concept, despite the fact that there is a certain table of optimal values. Chest circumference can be influenced by many circumstances other than illness, so you should not make premature conclusions when detecting deviations from the norm.

The doctor must analyze all aspects that could affect the volume of the chest and only then make a decision. Therefore, when you need to estimate chest girth, a comparison with average values according to age is implied.

For the results to be accurate, you need to know how to measure this indicator and adhere to certain rules:

The easiest way to measure chest circumference in children and adults is to use a soft measuring tape.
Measurements are performed standing (both the person measuring and the person being measured must stand).
The patient's arms should be lowered down.
The tape should not be applied too loosely, but not too tightly - it should not be an obstacle to breathing.
Measurements are taken in the area of the 4th pair of ribs on the front of the body and along the lower borders of the shoulder blades at the back. That is, the measuring tape should pass along these areas.
The position of the tape is strictly horizontal.

Chest circumference is measured in both children and adults in this way. If the child is very small, it is permissible to do this when the baby is in a lying position. There are some differences in breast measurement between women and men.

When this indicator is measured in a man, the tape should be placed under the nipples. If you want to find out the chest circumference of a woman, you should apply the tape either under the breast or above its base.

There is another criterion that should be assessed during such measurements - this is the excursion of the chest. This term refers to the difference between chest circumference during maximum inhalation and exhalation.

That is, you need to measure chest volume during active inhalation, and then after maximum exhalation. These data also help to clarify the diagnosis and identify developmental features.

Why do you need to make such measurements?

The need for such data is due to several circumstances that differ for adults and children. Next, we will consider in more detail the purposes of such measurements in different age groups.

Goals of measurement in children

For young patients, this procedure is used to ensure their correct development. The fact is that the child’s chest grows very actively as he develops. internal organs, respiratory muscles and the whole body.

In the course of many years of research and observation of children, a table was developed, taking into account which one can determine how harmoniously and in accordance with age the baby is developing. This table indicates the average values of this criterion at different age stages, thanks to which the doctor determines whether the child is developing normally.

Some deviations from this table are acceptable, but in case of serious discrepancies, careful analysis and diagnosis is required to establish the causes of such an unfavorable phenomenon. It should be said that values of chest volume that are too high are no better than values that are too low.

How harmoniously a small patient is developing can be judged based on the criterion under consideration in combination with many others, such as weight, height, head circumference, etc. It is the correspondence of these parameters to each other, as well as to age norms, that allows us to determine whether the development is progressing correctly. child development.

Taking measurements in adults

In adults, measurements of this type are aimed at detecting pathologies or clarifying the diagnosis. At a certain age, the growth of the chest stops, and its changes are possible only with the development of diseases.

Most often these are diseases of the respiratory system (for example, emphysema, which causes enlargement of the chest), but sometimes such changes are associated with other problems. In the presence of hormonal imbalances, a person’s weight may change, due to which the volume of the breast increases.

The circumference size is not the main method for diagnosing diseases; its use for adults is rare, since there are a large number of methods that are more informative. But for children in the first year of life, this procedure is mandatory, because without it it is very difficult to assess how fully the child’s development is proceeding.

Normal indicators and deviations

Below is a table showing the average chest circumference in at different ages. It presents the average chest circumference for male and female representatives in centimeters and as a percentage of body length. Physicians must know these values in order to work effectively with patients of different ages.

It must be said that the values of this indicator for girls and women are slightly lower than for boys and men. For example, the chest girth of men on average exceeds that of women by 5 cm. But this does not mean that this option is required. There are many reasons why a girl’s chest may be larger than a boy’s, and the issue here will not be at all due to the presence of pathologies.

This feature is influenced by the rate of development of internal organs and respiratory muscles, the child’s activity level and many other circumstances.

Therefore, do not worry too much when detecting deviations from the norm. If the diagnostic procedures prescribed by the doctor do not reveal any problems, this means that everything is in order.
There is a high probability that further growth of chest circumference will slow down or accelerate, and as a result will become equal to the norm.

Excursion indicators are calculated by subtracting the results at maximum exhalation from the value of the results of maximum inspiration. Its value is considered normal from 5 to 9 cm. Deviations up or down may indicate problems with the respiratory system.