How does the fontanel develop in an infant

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The fontanel in an infant is a soft area on the head of a newborn child, where the cranial bones are not fused. As you know, passing through the birth canal of the mother, the skull of the newborn is deformed, thereby facilitating the process.

The soft connective tissues of the head are called "fontanelle", the baby has six of them: large (or anterior), small (or posterior), two lateral and two temporal. The lateral and parietal fontanelles close before the birth of the child, but the large and small ones remain open until the age of one and a half years. Their role in the development of the baby is great.

A large fontanel in an infant is 3x3 cm in size and is a diamond-shaped area on the top of the head. It provides the elasticity of the skull during childbirth, and also protects the baby's brain from shock during falls. This is especially important for active children, who in the first years of life constantly “drop” themselves on the floor and hit their heads on surrounding objects. Elastic fabrics allow the skull to deform upon impact without violating the integrity of the cranium. At the same time, the force from the blow is extinguished - thus the child's brain remains protected from seriousinjuries.

It is established that the brain of a newborn child grows very rapidly during the first and second years of life, the same thing happens with the skull. At the same time, the fontanel in the baby gradually closes, that is, it becomes harder to the touch. It is considered normal if, by the age of two, the top of the head becomes smooth and firm, and the pulsation is not palpable.

Every mother must have noticed how the baby's fontanel pulsates. This is normal and nothing to worry about, as many babies cry with the soft top of their head sticking out a little, tense, and throbbing. Over time, this area will gradually decrease, and until it closes, you can safely wash your hair, take care of it, comb your child.

Many parents are interested in the question: “At what age should the fontanel in babies completely close?” When the soft tissue is completely overgrown, the child should reach 1.5-2 years. Closing too late, as well as early, adversely affects the he alth of the baby. With early fusion of the skull bones, there may be a problem with intracranial pressure.

These complications can be avoided if the mother does not take calcium supplements uncontrollably during pregnancy. They play a role in the development of the child's skeleton. Be sure to consult a gynecologist before prescribing calcium vitamins for yourself. It is not uncommon for children to be born with a completely closed skull. It's always associated with risk.during childbirth, both for the mother and for the newborn. And the further he alth of the baby is in jeopardy.

Late closure may indicate possible malformations in the development of the baby. The most common are rickets, improper metabolism, lack of vitamin D. All these troubles can be eliminated if you seek the advice of a pediatrician. After simple tests, a decision will be made on further treatment. The doctor will prescribe the necessary vitamins, diet and procedures.