# Association Between Head Circumference Growth and Peripheral Nerve Cross-Sectional Area Growth in Infants: A Potential Future Biomarker for Central and Peripheral Nerve Maturation

## TL;DR

This study finds a link between head growth and nerve development in infants, suggesting they could be used together to monitor brain and nerve maturation.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel correlation between head circumference and peripheral nerve cross-sectional area growth as potential biomarkers for neurodevelopment.

## Key findings

- Head circumference significantly correlates with median nerve cross-sectional area at multiple locations.
- Head circumference is a stronger predictor of nerve size than age in infants.
- The parallel growth suggests potential for using these measures to monitor neurodevelopment.

## Abstract

To analyze the association between the growth of the central and peripheral nervous systems (PNS) in children aged 0 to 3 years.

A total of 40 participants were included in this cross-sectional study to analyze the association between the growth and development of the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). Using high-resolution ultrasound, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve was measured at three locations (wrist, forearm, and upper arm) representing the development of the PNS and then compared with the head circumference (HC) as a proxy for the CNS development.

There was a significant correlation between HC and the CSA of the median nerve at the three measured locations. When looking at adjusted linear regression models, HC appeared to be a stronger predictor of nerve CSA size than age.

The observed association between nerve CSAs and HC growth indicates a parallel size increase. This association may have clinical relevance because both HC and nerve CSA could potentially serve as complementary markers for neurodevelopmental monitoring, that is, myelination, and may contribute to the early identification of atypical developmental patterns, though confirmatory longitudinal data are required.