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Babies Having Bigger Heads Are Smarter

Researchers at the University of Southampton conducted a study claiming babies with bigger heads are smarter and that head growth until the age of one is linked to intelligence.

"The brain volume a child achieves by the age of 1 year helps determine later intelligence," stated researchers at the University of Southampton in this month's edition of "Pediatrics".

Experts examined 633 British babies. Researchers measured the children's head circumference at four moments: at birth, at the age of one, at four years and finally at eight years.

When they were four years old and eight years old, participants at the study were asked to solve IQ tests.

It was proved that children with bigger heads scored higher at the IQ tests compared to those that had smaller head circumferences.

Moreover, researchers suggested that the head growth until the age of one is essential for the child's intellectual development. It was also said that catch-up growth is not very important.

"Brain growth after infancy, at least in terms of brain volume, is unlikely to compensate for poor growth in the first year of life," stated the researchers.

"Our findings provide additional evidence that infancy is the most important period of postnatal brain growth for determining later intelligence," the researchers added.

The mothers of the babies participating the study were asked to supply information related to breastfeeding, educational style or say whether the babies have older brother or sisters.

It was proved that children breastfed for at least three months were smarter. Moreover, intelligence was higher if parents communicated more with their children.