Does your baby have a big ole’ head?
Well, that’s fantastic because big headed babies are more likely to be intelligent.
We’ve all heard the stereotype that associates big heads with intelligence.
But a study from Edinburgh University suggests that it may be true.
The 2016 study took data from 100,000 UK residents between the ages of 37 and 73.
The data was gathered by UK Biobank, a health resource that stores data from 502,655 people between those aforementioned ages.
Study participants were recruited between 2006 and 2010.
They underwent cognitive and physical assessments, provided blood, urine and saliva samples.
They also gave detailed information about their backgrounds and lifestyles which is how scientists linked head size to intelligence.
The study also found that babies born with big heads may be smarter later in life.
“Highly significant associations were observed between the cognitive test scores… and many polygenic profile scores, including intracranial volume, infant head circumference and childhood cognitive ability,” researchers said in a statement.
Babies with big heads were found to more likely to get a degree.
The study also found that people who had big heads as a baby ended up scoring higher on verbal-numerical reasoning tests.
It also found 17 significant genes that affect brain function and impact people’s physical and mental health.
“In addition to there being shared genetic influences between cognitive skills and some physical and mental health states, the study also found that cognitive skills share genetic influences with brain size, body shape and educational attainments,” Professor Ian Deary of Edinburgh University, who led the study, said.
Researchers said that there were so many findings from the study that it wasn’t possible to fully discuss their implications, however, one thing was clear.
“The study supports an existing theory which says that those with better overall health are likely to have higher levels of intelligence,” researcher Saskia Hagenaars said.
The average circumference of a baby’s head is 13.5 to 14 inches in the U.S, according to The Huffington Post.
Some say that the size of a baby’s head can’t conclusively determine intelligence.
“A large cranium could simply be a reflection of a bigger-than-average-headed mom or dad. One thing is for certain, it’s not an indication of a learning disorder or disability,”Diane Sacks wrote for Today’s Parents.
There are rare circumstances where a large head could be a sign of a serious health problem.
“The most important information here is whether the circumference of your baby’s head has been growing along the same growth line since birth. That’s why your doctor measures your baby’s head and follows its growth monthly on a chart,” Sacks said.
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