Intracranial volume change in childhood

Object. The goal of this study was to construct a model of normal changes i n intracranial volume occurring throughout childhood from age 7 days to 15 years. Methods. Using the technique of segmentation on magnetic resonance images o btained in healthy children, intracranial volume was measured and plotted a gainst age. Conclusions. Intracranial volume in the first few months of life is on aver age 900 cm(3) in males and 600 cm(3) in females. By the age of 15 years, it increases up to 1500 cm(3) in males and 1300 cm(3) in females, increased b y factors of 1.6 and 2.1, respectively. By the time the child reaches 2 yea rs of age, intracranial volume has reached 77% (1150 cm(3) in males and 100 0 cm(3) in females) and, by 5 years, 90% (1350 cm(3) in males and 1200 cm(3 ) in females) of the volume observed at age 15 years. The change in intracr anial volume that occurs with age is not linear, but there seems to be a se gmental pattern. Three main periods can be distinguished, each lasting appr oximately 5 years (0-5, 5-10, and 10-15 years), during which the growth of intracranial volume is linear. Throughout childhood, males have higher intr acranial volumes than females, with a similar growth pattern.