A GIANT 30m tape measure wrapped around a huge inflatable brain formed part of the launch for a Hampshire-based charity’s campaign highlighting why head measurements are so important in infancy.

Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust (Harry’s HAT), based in Yateley, is collaborating with neurosurgeons for a campaign advocating for improved routine brain screening in babies.

The campaign, named 'Get-A-Head', was launched on Friday, August 2 during a garden open day at Lambeth Palace.

The charity sees a critical need in reviewing the guidelines for routine head circumference monitoring in infants – a crucial method that could aid in diagnosing severe brain conditions like hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid in the brain, the excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it.

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The charity has collected almost 23,000 signatures calling for a review of the current guidelines (Image: MICHAEL LAING) The UK follows a protocol of conducting only two head measurements between birth and the six to eight-week check-up.

However, this protocol isn't always adhered to, risking late diagnoses of serious conditions.

In contrast, countries like Finland and Norway undertake 10 and 11 routine head measurements respectively in a baby's first year.

Harry's HAT research has showed 80 per cent of new parents are unaware that head measurements could help diagnose hydrocephalus.

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The charity has since gathered almost 23,000 signatures, requesting a review of existing guidelines.

Victoria Glover, whose son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 2021, aged 10-months-old, is a trustee of the charity, and said: "It's an honour to be able to raise awareness for a cause so close to my heart in the prestigious grounds of Lambeth Palace. This campaign is about preventing babies with potentially life threatening brain conditions from 'slipping through the net', which unfortunately we know is happening all too often.

"The parents we support, like myself, regularly report missed opportunities to identify their child's hydrocephalus sooner. Whether that's because head measurements were missed, not recorded in the Red Book, or the current screening on offer simply wasn't enough to identify a problem."

"I firmly believe that if we're successful in securing a review of these guidelines, and eventually improving the frequency of head circumference measurements for babies, we will not only improve the outcomes for the affected children, but change lives for the better."