Diagnosis & Imaging
Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC)
Occipitofrontal circumference is the formal term for head circumference, measured around the front and back of the head.
In short: Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC)
- It is the medical term for head circumference.
- It is measured from the forehead around to the back of the head.
- It is tracked on growth charts in infancy.
- Rapid increases can indicate hydrocephalus.
What it is
Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) is the formal medical term for head circumference — the measurement around the head, taken from the occiput (back of the head) around to the frontal area (forehead). It is the standard way head size is recorded.
Understanding Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC)
The OFC is measured to capture the largest circumference of the head, and the result is plotted on growth charts to track head growth over time. As with head circumference generally, a rapidly increasing OFC — crossing upward across percentiles — can indicate hydrocephalus in an infant and prompts evaluation. The term "OFC" may appear in medical records and notes, referring to the same measurement families know as head circumference. Consistent technique and tracking the trend over time make the OFC a reliable monitoring tool.
Why it matters
Understanding occipitofrontal circumference helps families recognize the medical term for head circumference in records, and see that it is the same key measurement used to monitor for hydrocephalus.
Common questions
What is occipitofrontal circumference?
The medical term for head circumference.
Where is it measured?
From the back of the head around to the forehead, at the largest point.
Why does it matter?
Rapid increases can indicate hydrocephalus.
Bottom line
Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) is the formal term for head circumference, the key measurement tracked to monitor for hydrocephalus.
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