Research Says Babies With Big Heads Are More Likely To Be Intelligent

Mar 07, 2018

No one wants to be told they have a big head, but when it comes to babies, this is actually a compliment! The popular phrase "the bigger the head, the bigger the brain" holds some merit and is actually something to remember if you've noticed that your kid has a bigger noggin than the rest. 

So what exactly are the benefits of your baby having a larger head? Read more to find out!

A study recently published in the Molecular Psychiatry journal observed genetic effects on cognitive function and lifespan and found that larger heads may indicate higher intelligence. 

The study took samples of blood, urine, and saliva for analysis from 100,000 Britons aged 37-73 as well as information about their backgrounds and lifestyles. The people in the study who were born with a large head were often more likely to have a college degree and scored the highest on a verbal-numerical reasoning test.

Researchers said: “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.”

What constitutes a "big head"?

The study observed that babies born with a head circumference of 12.5 to 14 inches (or 36cm for boys, and 35 cm for girls) were most likely to be smarter. Scientists also discovered that babies with larger heads were more likely to have better overall health and longer lifespans. 

According to researcher Saskia Hagenaars, “The study supports an existing theory which says that those with better overall health are likely to have higher levels of intelligence.”

So the next time someone asks you how you managed to push out that big-headed baby of yours or makes fun of your larger skull, just remind them that you or your baby are destined for success! A larger head opens up new opportunities for learning and growing, which is a pretty nice perk to have. 

Do you know someone with a larger head? Are they more successful than others you know? SHARE this article and let us know your thoughts!