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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Neuropediatrics
DOI: 10.1055/a-2747-7359
Original Article

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

Authors

  • Noé P. Bürke

    1   Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
    2   School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
    3   Clinical Trials Unit, HOCH Health Ostschweiz, Universitäres Lehr- und Forschungsspital, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland

  • Lynn Jansen

    1   Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
    2   School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
    3   Clinical Trials Unit, HOCH Health Ostschweiz, Universitäres Lehr- und Forschungsspital, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland

  • Erin West

    4   Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland

  • Janina Wurster

    1   Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
    2   School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
    3   Clinical Trials Unit, HOCH Health Ostschweiz, Universitäres Lehr- und Forschungsspital, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland

  • Philip J. Broser

    2   School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
    3   Clinical Trials Unit, HOCH Health Ostschweiz, Universitäres Lehr- und Forschungsspital, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
    5   Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Abstract

Objective

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

Method

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.

Results

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.

Conclusion

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.

Keywords

neurodevelopment - nerve cross-sectional area - head circumference - ultrasound

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 25 March 2025

Accepted: 02 November 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
14 November 2025

Article published online:
28 November 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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