Study: Babies Born With Big Heads More Likely To Be Intelligent

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Parents of babies with big noggins rejoice! Your offspring is more likely to be intelligent, according to a new study.

New research, published in the journal of Molecular Psychiatry and reported by the Independent, takes a look at links between genes, IQ and overall health when they made a startling discovery.

Using data from United Kingdom health resource UK Biobank, researchers found that individuals born with larger craniums were significantly more likely to earn a college degree and score higher on a verbal-numerical reasoning test. Meaning, babies born with a head circumference larger than the average of 13.5–14 inches were likely to exhibit greater intelligence later in their lives.

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The UK Biobank has collected more than half a million samples from people aged between 37 and 73 years. Participants provided blood, urine and saliva samples, as well as providing information about their backgrounds and lifestyle.

The study also identified 17 'significant' genes which affect brain function and impact mental and physical health.