Is it worth it to sound the alarm when a fontanel overgrows in a child earlier or later than the due date? The fontanel quickly overgrows in the child, reasons for concern The fontanel is bad

A young mother constantly worries if her baby’s fontanel is normal, is it too big or, on the contrary, small? In this case, you do not need to listen to the advice of grandmothers, only the pediatrician will be able to say after examining the condition of the fontanel in the baby. I am sure that every mother should have a general idea of ​​​​what a fontanel is and what deviations from the norms can be, so that once again there is no cause for concern.

Many mothers came to my appointment, who trembled when I felt the fontanel of their children. This is, of course, extreme. But the other extreme is a completely irresponsible approach to this issue. Remember, ordinary manipulations (washing your hair, combing, examining a pediatrician) cannot violate the integrity of this area.

The fontanel in infants - what is its role and normal form

As the brain grows, so do the bones of the child's skull. The most productive period for this is the first 2 years of a baby's life, at which time the bones of the skull are constantly growing and changing. By the way, even if the fontanel closed a little ahead of time, this does not mean that now the bones will stop growing.

Along with the sutures of the skull, which are open until the age of 19, the fontanel occupies an important place in the growth of the size of the skull. The main function of this non-ossified part of the baby's skull is that during the birth process, the bones of the skull can take the right shape for passage through the birth canal of a woman. That is why newborns often have a rather strange head shape in the first days.

After childbirth, this area also performs very important functions:

1. In the first two years of life, the bones of the skull can still transform. This protects the child's head from serious injuries that can occur after the baby falls. During this period, parents can make a mistake: dress the baby and accidentally hit his head, the baby can fall off the sofa or bed, and many other cases. But these injuries will not affect the health of the child, because the brain, upon impact, rests against the soft connective tissue of the fontanel. The time of full tightening coincides with the age of the child, when he is already firmly on his feet and the risk of falling is significantly reduced.
2. The fontanel is involved in the thermoregulation of the baby. Due to the imperfection of the process of heat transfer, small children often overheat or become hypothermic. There are regular mothers who are very fond of wrapping the child in a way that is not in accordance with the air temperature. In order for the child to return to his usual temperature again, it is enough to remove the cap.
3. Thanks to this area of ​​the skin, children undergo an ultrasound of the brain.

It is worth noting that a child after birth has 6 fontanelles. We, pediatricians, pay special attention to only two, because the remaining 4 are overgrown during the first week of a baby's life.

The size of the fontanels in a newborn and an older child

The posterior fontanel in a newborn is on average 0.6 mm. By about 8 weeks of age, it completely closes in a child.

Typically, the anterior fontanel has the form of a rhombus, the size of which varies from 5 mm to 30 mm. In order to calculate the size of this area, it is necessary to measure the distance between the most distant points and divide the resulting number by 2. Usually, longitudinal (along the main axis of the skull) and transverse (across the longitudinal axis of the skull) dimensions are determined. The dimensions are recorded in the form of two numbers: 1.1x0.5 cm.

The size of a large fontanel by month

Age, months	Size, mm
0-1	26-28
1-2	22-25
2-3	23-24
3-4	20-21
4-5	16-18
5-6	16-18
6-7	16-18
7-8	14-16
8-9	14-15
9-10	12-14
10-11	9-12
11-12	5-8

The anterior fontanel is tightened by about 24 months. I noticed that in boys this process is somewhat faster than in girls. If a baby is born with an anterior fontanel larger than usual, this does not mean that it will take longer to close. Despite the fact that the table shows average values, this does not mean that with a slight deviation from the norm, something goes wrong with the child. Do not worry ahead of time and about the age when this non-ossified part of the skull will completely tighten. Most recently, we opened a service on our website Question and Answer, and guess what one of the first questions our reader asked.. If you still have questions about why the fontanel does not overgrow, then welcome to our FAQ section .

Please note that neither a decrease in the timing of closure, nor their increase, are pathological. The process of tightening the fontanel occurs in each child individually and depends on the following factors:

• The child is premature. Usually, premature babies are slightly behind their peers in physical development, this is manifested in the later overgrowth of a non-ossified area on the baby's head. But by the age of 3, everything levels out and children begin to develop in the same way.
• Growth rate. With good nutrition, a good weight gain, the fontanel usually closes earlier. Conversely, if the baby's diet is overloaded with proteins or carbohydrates, the fontanel may grow together a little later.
• Feeding method. In a breastfed baby, this area closes earlier than in a formula baby. This is due to the fact that breast milk contains nutrition that is more balanced and suitable for the baby's gastrointestinal tract.
• Deficiency in the body of vitamin D3.
• hereditary diseases. It has been established that Down's syndrome, congenital hypothyroidism or achondrodysplasia (a genetically determined violation of bone formation), hydrocephalus can slow down the fusion of the fontanel. Microcephaly (small head) or craniosynostosis, on the other hand, results in very early closure.

What can be deviations from the norm?

Normally, this area may be slightly sunken or slightly convex. Not normal closing age - earlier than 3 months. If the child is older - everything is in order. The fontanel may occasionally pulsate, especially during periods of arousal of the child, many mothers notice this and get scared, but this is considered normal and confirms that the baby is healthy. Another option is when the pulsation occurs constantly and does not disappear with age, you must definitely contact a neurologist who will prescribe an ultrasound of the brain (neurosonography).

What type of fontanel is considered abnormal:

• the fontanel is strongly sunken, and at the same time, the child has dehydration due to an illness that was accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
• when this area sticks out strongly, while the child has a fever and even convulsions are possible. This condition requires the immediate call of an ambulance. If there are no symptoms, but for a long time you notice that the fontanel swells too much, then contact your pediatrician. This may be a symptom of meningitis, encephalitis, or a tumor. Self-treatment in this case is unacceptable!

What examinations are carried out if a deviation from the norm is suspected:

• consultation with an endocrinologist;
• a trip to a geneticist and a neurologist;
• urinalysis to conduct a Sulkovich test and determine whether the baby's body absorbs calcium well.

Important! This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional.

The skull of a newborn is designed so that during childbirth the head can easily pass through the birth canal of the mother. Therefore, soft cavities exist on the head of a newborn, which form at the junction of the junction of the bones of the skull. Over time, they overgrow, only a large one remains on the crown. When this fontanel overgrows in a child, the skull becomes the same as in an adult, differing in size.

Already inside the mother's womb, the child is preparing for birth. On the cranium, he has up to 6 cavities, or fontanelles, that are not closed by bones. On top they have plates of connective tissue. During passage through the birth canal, the head of the fetus is flattened from the sides due to the presence of fontanelles behind the auricles. Immediately after birth, they close, but a large fontanel remains on the crown of the head, which has a diamond shape and sizes ranging from 22 to 35 millimeters. Every mother knows about this webbed window. It overgrows later than others, gradually decreasing in size.

Convex

Bulging of the fontanel occurs in the first months of a newborn's life due to the fact that the brain increases in size. It presses on the elastic plate of the crown, and the surface becomes convex. But excessive bulging of the parietal region is a symptom of high intracranial pressure in a baby.

If the child's body temperature rises, vomiting appears, then it is necessary to check it with a specialist.

The bulge of the crown surface can also be associated with a head injury if the child falls and hits. In any case, you need to see a pediatrician.

Sunken

Sometimes there is, on the contrary, sinking in the area of ​​the soft top of the head. With a slight indentation, you can not be afraid for the health of the newborn. Usually this happens when the baby overheats in the sun or wraps him up tightly. In this case, the body begins to dehydrate, so it is necessary to give the child more drink.

But with a deep sinking of the plate, you need to consult a pediatrician. If the baby starts vomiting, diarrhea, then this is due to intestinal infections. And you can't do without hospital treatment.

Throbbing

A weak pulsation of the fontanel on the crown of the head can be observed constantly. It occurs due to the fact that the vessels are located in the newborn close to the heart. The blood pulsates in them, and this action is transmitted to the cerebrospinal fluid, to the membranes of the brain. Accordingly, the parietal plate begins to pulsate. Often observed pulsation of the cavity in children under 3 months.

But with a constantly high pulsation in a large fontanel, they pay attention to the behavior and condition of the baby. When fever, intoxication are added to this symptom, they urgently consult a doctor.

The size and location of the fontanel in an infant

When a baby is born, most of the soft parts of the skull overgrow, and a large fontanel remains. Each child has a different size. For babies that appeared on time, the membranous window has the shape of a rhombus with sides on average 20-35 millimeters. It can be determined on the head in the region of the crown by palpation.

The boundaries of the soft part of the crown change. If at first they increase due to the growth of the brain, then the replacement of connective tissue with bone begins from the edges. By the year, the fontanel becomes small, and by the age of 1.5 it is completely overgrown.

Functions of the fontanel

Young parents are wondering why a child needs a fontanel, what role it plays in its development.

Due to the membranous connection of the bones of the skull:

• the child easily passes the birth canal;
• the baby's brain is protected by this shock absorber from concussions and bruises;
• you can determine the increase in intracranial pressure in a baby;
• there is a normal development of the brain, filling it with the necessary space inside the cranium;
• the child's brain cools when the body temperature rises.

According to the state of the elastic plate, diseases of the newborn are determined. After an ultrasound examination of the parietal region, the presence of tumors and other pathological changes in the body is determined.

Factors affecting the rate of overgrowth

Like the size of the fontanel, the rate of its overgrowth is different for each child. The time of disappearance of the membranous window depends on:

• the sex of the child, since in boys the process is faster;
• heredity;
• pathologies that arose in fetal development or in the first months of a baby's life.

It is also necessary to take into account when the baby appeared, on time or earlier. Indeed, in premature babies, development occurs with a delay.

What is the norm

The rate of overgrowth of the parietal window does not depend on its size. Starting from 1 month of life, the replacement of the lamellar membrane with bone tissue will begin. No matter how many months the process starts, the edges of the window grow first. The whole procedure takes up to a year. There remains a small dent of 5-8 millimeters, which is also quickly tightened. But it is also considered the norm that in a newborn only in 1.5 years the crown grows.

The speed depends on the state in which the newborn was after birth, whether he had developmental disabilities, whether he was susceptible to infections. In any case, by 18 months, the child should close a large fontanel. This will be the norm.

Deviation from the norm - is it worth worrying

A deviation in the development of the child is considered when the soft crown closes quickly. It is impossible that time stretched to 2 or more years. It is believed that the process of overgrowing is influenced by pathological changes in the body of a newborn.

Before the time

Do not rejoice that the baby's temechko became hard early. The fontanel quickly closes if the child has:

1. Craniosynostosis, when the sutures on the cranium quickly heal. The disease is associated with deformity of the skull, secondary hydrocephalus.
2. Impaired function of the parathyroid glands. Hence, due to metabolic disorders, an increase in calcium in the blood occurs. Together with the early overgrowth of the fontanel, arrhythmia and problems in the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract are detected.
3. Microcephaly, which will lead to underdevelopment of the brain, developmental delay.

It is worth sounding the alarm, visiting specialists at the early closure of the fontanel.

Later than normal

When the overgrowth of the crown of the head is delayed, it is worth paying attention to whether the child has:

• rickets;
• lack of thyroid hormones;
• hydrocephalus;
• bone growth disorders.

In any case, with a delay in closing the soft top of the head, you should contact a specialist. Perhaps there were some failures in the development of the baby.

Signs by which the condition of the fontanel is assessed

Parents themselves can assess the condition of the fontanel, determine deviations. The further development of the baby depends on their behavior. Therefore, from the first month it is necessary to examine the temechko. Do this carefully, without pressing on soft tissues.

Visually determine the dimensions of the unovergrown crown. It should be within 20-30 millimeters. If the dimensions are too reduced or enlarged, then it is necessary to pay attention to whether the fontanel protrudes or is depressed. In the first case, it is possible that the pressure inside the baby's skull is increased. The symptom is associated with such serious diseases as meningitis, hydrocephalus.

The depression of the crown indicates that the child is hot, he wants to drink. But there may be problems with the digestive tract. With a strong pulsation of the plate, it is imperative to seek advice in order to eliminate the risk of pathologies.

Does the crown need special care?

The fontanel does not require special care. While bathing, they try to keep the child carefully so as not to injure the soft tissues of the head. During a walk, a hat is put on the baby's head. In the summer, you need a light Panama hat so that the child does not bake his head. In cold weather, the cap will protect the soft tissues of the skull from colds.

For proper development, the baby needs massage, exercise. It is necessary to turn the baby over more often to improve blood circulation in the brain.

Who to contact if you have problems

Any problems in the development of the baby can be resolved by the doctor. If there is a deviation in the condition and size of the parietal cavity, they turn to a pediatrician. He can send for tests, brain research. Under the power of treatment of diseases associated with the development of the brain, a neurologist. Deviations in the work of the thyroid gland will see the endocrinologist.

Any changes in the timing of overgrowth of the fontanel, its size and shape should be known to specialists. Only they will prescribe and carry out the correct treatment.

Walks and more. Some of the answers will be given at a school for young parents, some can be found out from your own family, and, of course, doctors and the Internet will tell you something.

One of the questions that worries young mothers is fontanel. What it is, why it is needed and how the processes take place overgrowth- let's figure it out.

Child's fontanel

is the area that connects the bones newborn skulls. It is its presence that allows the child to "exit" the mother's body without damaging her - thanks to soft tissue head slightly deformed. It is also necessary for the free growth of the brain. It is due to the ability to pass through the birth canal that the head looks slightly elongated for the first time after childbirth.

In fact, there is not one on the head. There are four of them at once: rear, front, and two side. The connective tissue of which they are composed eventually turns into bone. However, you should not worry - the fontanelles are very dense, and protect the brain and blood vessels of the newborn almost the same as the bones.

When they say about the fontanel, most often mean exactly the largest - front. This is a diamond-shaped area approximately in the middle of the head (in other words, on the top of the head). Only a pediatrician can tell you about his condition in detail, but not girlfriends or relatives.

This part of the head helps during the first two year old baby- protects the brain from possible damage and injury, and allows it to develop correctly. Don't be afraid by chance hit the baby's head during dressing and gymnastics, as well as during possible independent actions (for example, when moving in a crib) - it is the fontanel, due to its flexibility, that helps to prevent possible serious consequences. But, of course, strong blows, for example, if the baby is knocked or hit by a toy, should be examined.

IMPORTANT! If you see that your baby's fontanel or concave and is in this state even when the child is resting - be sure to consult a doctor.

Again, no matter how much we want to deviate from the standards, but for general peace of mind, doctors have developed a formula for calculating and evaluating its proportions:

1. Add together the longitudinal and transverse diameters of the soft area.
2. Divide the resulting amount by 2.
3. Compare with the average.
4. It is believed that the ideal fontanel is a diamond 25x25mm (+/- a few mm).

Generally accepted norms for the size of the fontanel

• 0-1 months - 20-30 mm;
• 1-3 months - 18-20 mm;
• 4-6 months - 16-17 mm;
• 8-9 months - 12-14 mm;
• 11-12 months - 4-8 mm.

Why do you need a fontanel

Main Feature fontanel in a newborn serves the moment that it contributes to unhindered development and growth brain. Given the rapid growth of the body child- Availability not overgrown fontanel very important!

More importantly, fontanel helps in thermoregulation of the body. Since this process in babies is poorly debugged in the first months of life, it is very easy to achieve overheating of the body, but you can cool the child quite simply by removing a hat or scarf from the child’s head. You can check whether the child is cold or not in a simple way. With your warm index finger, feel in the crease behind the ear in the cheekbone area. If it's warm, then it's warm for the baby. And if, for example, the child's temperature rises above 38 degrees, then due to fontanel brain cools down naturally.

In the first months of life, the presence of such soft tissue makes it possible to baby head ultrasound if necessary, and check work and development of the brain and blood vessels. After overgrowth of the fontanel the bones of the skull no longer allow this. Also, inflammatory processes in this area of ​​the head help to identify diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis in the early stages.

IMPORTANT! Watch the child, his general condition and the appearance of the fontanel. For any external pathologies, consult a doctor.

When the fontanel overgrows

This question is one of the most exciting and frequently asked. Fontanel overgrowth rate depends on several conditions:

• The presence in the body of a sufficient amount of calcium;
• Suitable age;
• Prematurity of children;
• Absence of diseases.

Fontanel overgrowth norms

• Usually, overgrowth of a small (posterior) fontanel occurs already in the womb, or during the first 2-3 months of life - if the baby was not born on time.
• Big fontanel overgrows and turns into bone tissue by about a year - one and a half years of a child's life. It grows gradually, decreasing in size. You can feel it at say a month and check its size at 6 months.

Reasons for deviations

It should be borne in mind that small deviations in any direction are not a problem, since each baby develops individually. The reasons can be very different:

• Rickets. This is the most common form when we talk about deviations from the norm. It is observed mainly in premature babies who do not sunbathe and in the diet of their mother during pregnancy and their current diet is not enough calcium.
• Hypothyroidism. It is observed in case of a decrease in thyroid hormones.
• Down Syndrome. Only a doctor can put it!
• Vitamin D3 deficiency. If you rarely walk in the sun, and your little one does not receive enough vitamin D3, your doctor will prescribe the intake of this vitamin in the form of droplets. Be sure to follow the dosage!
• Feeding method. Again, it depends on him whether the baby receives the required amount of calcium or not.
• Too much calcium able to close the fontanel ahead of time. But the question is that the child's brain must grow and develop, it is important that there is enough space. Try not to let this happen!
• Constantly, even during quiet communication with you or sleep, the baby sunken fontanel He's most likely dehydrated.
• early closing the fontanel may indicate an abnormal development of the brain or craniosynostosis (the disease occurs against the background of rickets, increased function of the glands). These diagnoses are rare, but it must be remembered that pathologies exist.

Watch your baby, pay attention to his development. Use common sense and don't panic! All your questions and concerns will be answered by the local pediatrician.

Why the fontanel in the baby does not overgrow

This is another reason to go to the doctor. Size increase connective tissue of the skull, or its incomplete overgrowth in accordance with age - the likelihood of a disease or lack of necessary enzymes in the body.

By the way, according to the observations of pediatricians, we can say that fontanel in boys grows a little faster than in girls.

If the child has fontanelle grows quickly– you need consultations of a pediatrician, endocrinologist and neurologist. There are cases where the fontanel is completely overgrown by 6 months, with the complete absence of pathologies - this also happens. But it is better for the child and you to get timely advice.

Useful video

Of course popular pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky also commented on such an exciting question and dispelled the myths about the fontanel in infants.

In this video Dr. Olga Vasilievna Parshikova will show how to handle the baby and what to look for in the fontanel.

Any newborn baby has small marks on the head - fontanelles. Immediately after birth, the baby develops six marks, four of which close in the first weeks of life. The fifth mark, located on the back of the head, disappears by two or three months. The sixth remains on the baby's head the longest. Knowing what a fontanel is and what function it performs will help parents to more clearly imagine the process of growth and formation of their child.

What is a fontanel

The fontanel in a child is an empty space between the parts of the skull, closed by a dense membrane. The baby also has sutures resulting from the connection of two bones of the skull. Fontanelles appear in the junction of several bones. Some time after birth, these parts of the skull become ossified, and the corresponding marks disappear. The first five out of six membranes close in all children at about the same time, but the formation of the sixth fontanel in a newborn child is a purely individual process. Among its main functions are the following:

1. The main function is to help in the easy passage of the head through the birth canal. During childbirth, the shape of the baby's head is slightly deformed. Tapering, it passes forward more easily through the birth canal. Often, in a baby, immediately after birth, you can find bones that have found each other. Such defects quickly pass, and the shape of the skull is restored.
2. Another no less important purpose of this physiological phenomenon is to help in the active growth and development of the brain. In the first year of life, the baby's brain grows rapidly and intensively. The membranes provide the necessary space for this process, expanding the cranium and allowing the brain to grow to the desired size and volume.
3. The free space between the parts of the skull provides thermoregulation of the brain. In newborns, heat transfer in the body is at the stage of formation and development. Because of this, babies overheat easily. When the child's body temperature reaches approximately 38 degrees Celsius and above, the fontanelles turn on the ventilation function, thereby preventing the brain from overheating.
4. The fourth function is depreciation. Physiological marks that occur in children immediately after birth provide protection for the baby from possible shocks and injuries. This is not a reason to leave a small child unattended, because a small membrane will not be able to protect the fragile bone structure of an infant from serious blows or concussions.
5. The last role of the fontanel in a small child is to help in the medical study of the brain. The membranes greatly simplify the conduct of neurosonography, ultrasound and other examinations in order to identify potential pathologies and diseases at an early stage. These membranes help medical professionals control the development and formation of the brain, and if problems are detected, apply timely treatment.

Large and small fontanel in a child

The dimensions of the membranes are calculated by the formula in which the longitudinal and transverse diameters are added, after which the sum is divided by two. The result obtained is indicated as the size of the membrane. Immediately after birth, the parameters of this mark on the back of the head average 0.5-0.7 mm. This is a small fontanel, which closes by the second month of a child's life.

A large fontanel is usually well palpable and stands out. Almost all parents are concerned about the question of whether the size of the large fontanel of their small child is normal, how soon it should disappear and what to do if it does not overgrow for a long time. Doctors say that there is no strict time frame for closing the membrane. Each child develops this process differently.

A large fontanel in a newborn child usually has the shape of a diamond, each side of which is approximately 25 mm. In most cases, the mark disappears at 12-18 months. According to statistics, in the case of boys, this process proceeds faster. There is no relationship between the size of the membrane and the time of its closure. The first three months of life, the mark will increase intensively, since during this period the process of active brain growth usually occurs.

How many months does it take

The fontanel can close at any time. This usually happens between three months and two years. In some babies, it overgrows earlier, in others - later. For comparison, we present the results of statistical studies, according to which in 1% of the crumbs the mark on the head closes up to three months, in 40% - from a year to a year and a half, and in 95% of newborns - by two years. In the remaining five percent, the fontanel overgrows only after two years.

The process of formation of the bone tissue of the cranium in each case proceeds individually. In children from the same parents, characteristic marks disappear at different ages. If the mother consumed too much calcium during pregnancy, there is a possibility that the free space between the parts of the skull will tighten faster. Young parents should not worry about this. It is important that this process takes place within the time limits. If the baby is not worried about well-being, he develops normally, there is no need for worries.

Retraction and protrusion of the fontanel

The fontanel in an infant sticks out a little when there is increased intracranial pressure or other neurological disorders. A bulging fontanel is not the only symptom that indicates the appearance of health problems. If you find that the membrane on your head is slightly swollen, do not panic, but it is better to immediately consult a doctor.

A sunken fontanel is usually a typical sign of dehydration in a baby. This happens with vomiting and prolonged diarrhea in a small child. In this situation, the newborn needs to provide plenty of fluids. It is necessary to contact the pediatrician to find out the reasons that led to dehydration and, as a result, the sinking of the fontanel.

If the fontanel pulsates, is it worth worrying

Many parents, noticing that the child has a pulsating membrane on the head, panic. You shouldn't worry. This is a completely natural and normal phenomenon. Pulsation corresponds to the heart rhythm. The reason for its appearance is the flow of blood flowing to the brain with each heartbeat. In all children, the pulsation is expressed in different ways: in some it is stronger, in others it is weaker. But if there is no pulsation at all, this indicates the appearance of problems with pressure. In this situation, it is better to consult a doctor.

When should a child's fontanel close?

As noted above, in all children, the space between the parts of the skull overgrows at different times. The large fontanel usually closes between the ages of three months and two years. Often there are cases when characteristic marks disappear earlier or later than the due date. This is a purely individual process that will definitely happen in. If the mark drags on too quickly or, conversely, does not overgrow for a long time, it is better to consult a doctor who will help determine the cause of the anomaly and give appropriate recommendations.

Thanks. Your message has been sent

Did you find an error in the text?

Select it, click Ctrl+Enter and we'll fix it!

Parents always have a lot of questions, for example, what sizes of a large fontanel are considered the norm, why is it large or small, the measurement of a large fontanel, and so on. Through research, it was found that many parents do not touch its location on the child's head, as they are afraid of harming the baby's brain. This is a misconception, since the fontanel is a dense shell, the function of which is protection. It is located on the crown of the child, shaped like a rhombus. Why is a large (also called anterior) fontanel needed? In order to make it easier for the baby to be born, passing through narrow birth passages. This is a kind of shock absorber that helps the cranial plates move and move apart. If you look closely at it, you can see a slight pulsation, especially noticeable when the baby cries. You can touch it, and some doctors even advise gently massaging it while combing.

How does a large fontanel close in a child?

The size of a large fontanel of a newborn is approximately 2x2 cm in area, but an excess of 1-3 cm in size is considered a variant of the norm. In the first month, a significant increase in size is possible. And by 3-4 months it decreases to 1x1cm. In the period from 12 to 18 months, a large fontanel should normally close completely. But these terms are averaged, and for each child, closing occurs at its own time (as well as the terms of teething or the first steps).

What conditions of a large fontanel should alert parents? Prevention

Parents must visit the children's doctor without fail, doing this regularly for up to a year. And the pediatrician, for his part, will make sure that the baby does not lag behind his peers in development and takes the necessary measures in time.

One of the external indicators of the normal development of a child for pediatricians, neurologists and other pediatric specialists is the fontanel in newborns. It is a small soft pulsating area on the baby's head, under which the brain tissue is located close enough. The surface of the fontanel is covered with a dense film with a small fluff.

Fontanelle of a newborn baby

• The fontanel of a newborn greatly facilitates the process of childbirth, both for the baby and for the mother. Passing the birth canal, the bones of the skull are compressed, and therefore the head of the newborn for the first time after childbirth looks elongated. Then the shape of the head is restored;
• The presence of a fontanel provides optimal spatial conditions for normal brain growth at the pace that is laid down by nature;
• The fontanel is involved in the regulation of heat transfer of the baby and the environment. If the child's body temperature exceeds 38 degrees, then the brain tissue naturally cools through the fontanel;
• Due to the ability to shrink, the fontanel can act as a shock absorber in case of an accidental fall of the child.

Large and small fontanelles

Where is

Determining where the fontanel is located in a newborn baby is quite simple.

A large diamond-shaped fontanel measuring 2 by 2 centimeters is located right in the middle of the crown, or, as they usually say, on the top of the head.

A small fontanel is located on the back of the head. Its size is about half a centimeter.

When overgrown

A large fontanel overgrows by about one year of age of the child, sometimes there are slight deviations from this parameter up to about one and a half years. But if the child meets the age norms in other respects, then there is no reason for concern.

A small fontanel in children born at term is already closed. However, it happens that it was discovered after childbirth. Then its closure should be expected in two to three months.

The speed and time of closing the fontanelles mainly depends on how much the baby's body is provided with calcium. If there were no deviations in the mother's diet, the optimal regimen for taking multivitamins was observed, then the overgrowth of fontanelles usually occurs normally.

Deviations in development

Knowing the timing when the fontanel overgrows, as well as the size, you can see any deviations, avoid and prevent the development of many dangerous diseases in newborns. Among them are a few:

1. Rickets. This disease is almost the most common cause of late closure of the fontanel. As a rule, this happens in premature babies who are rarely exposed to the sun, who have a lack of calcium and vitamin D. Read the article >>>;
2. Hypothyroidism. A decrease in the amount of thyroid hormones can also be the reason for slowing down the process of overgrowth of the fontanel;
3. Down Syndrome. Too large sizes of the fontanel indicate the presence of this disease along with other characteristic signs;
4. Overgrowth of the fontanel ahead of time may indicate an excess of calcium , as well as testify to diseases such as craniostenosis, microcephaly;
5. A depressed fontanel is also a serious symptom. This phenomenon indicates acute dehydration of the body.

(image is clickable)

A careful examination of the child by specialists, parents of the baby's condition will be the key to early detection of abnormalities and will contribute to the correct appointment of preventive treatment.

Reasons for the early closure of the fontanel

(clickable)

Fontanelle too small or fontanel closing too fast

Protruding fontanel?

Most often, a protruding fontanel is observed against the background of diseases that are accompanied by an increase in intracranial pressure: meningitis, encephalitis, tumors, intracranial bleeding, increased intracranial pressure for another reason.

If a bulging fontanel is combined with one or more of the following symptoms, you should call a doctor as soon as possible:

• Strong temperature;
• The bulging of the fontanel arose after a head injury, a child's fall;
• Vomit;
• Drowsiness or excessive irritability of the child;
• Strabismus;
• Convulsions or epileptic seizures;
• Loss of consciousness;
• Bulging fontanel for a long time without other symptoms.

Fallen fontanel?

Most often, the retraction of the fontanel is observed due to dehydration of the child against the background of temperature, diarrhea, and repeated vomiting. If a sunken fontanel is found, the child should be given plenty of fluids and a doctor should be contacted to treat the disease that caused dehydration.

Fear of harm

Many are very much afraid of somehow damaging the fontanel. Remember! - it's practically impossible. Despite the apparent softness of the fontanel, it is very durable, and it cannot be damaged by ordinary manipulations (washing, bathing, combing, etc.).

Video:

Newborn baby. It is a soft area on the parietal part of the head between the parts of the skull. This area does not have bone tissue, but is closed by a strong membrane. The fontanel in infants makes it possible to shrink during childbirth during the passage of the baby through the birth canal.

What are fontanelles in newborns?

Newborn babies have six fontanelles. The largest is the front, the second largest is the back. There are two more mastoid and two wedge-shaped. Two main fontanelles usually remain open after childbirth: frontal (large) and occipital (small).

Sizes of children's fontanelles

The large fontanel resembles the shape of a rhombus. It is considered normal if its size is in the range of 1-3 centimeters. Most often, such a fontanel in children is 1.7-2.5 centimeters. And at the age of three months, it decreases to 1-1.5 centimeters.

To correctly determine the size of the frontal fontanelle, add its longitudinal and transverse diameters and divide the resulting sum by 2. The small fontanel resembles the shape of a triangle. Its dimensions usually do not exceed 0.7 centimeters. Although most often a child is born already with a closed small fontanel. But do not worry if the size and shape of the fontanel in a child differs from the standard ones. Each child is individual. A pediatrician should be consulted to determine if this is a concern.

Timing of fontanel closure

Four lateral fontanels in full-term babies close at birth, in premature babies - in the first few days after birth. The occipital fontanel in infants is completely closed at 2-3 months. But there are no exact deadlines for closing the largest fontanel. It's a very individual process. It can overgrow by 12 months, or maybe at 1.5 and 2 years. In recent years, thanks to the acceleration of children, the frontal fontanel disappears by 10 months.

What is the reason for the early closure of the frontal fontanel?

Closing of the fontanel before the third month of the baby's life is considered early. Usually this is due to the expectant mother's enthusiasm for taking multivitamins and the result of which are small and fairly dense fontanelles in the child. Therefore, you should follow the norm in taking vitamins according to the duration of pregnancy.

Why is it dangerous?

Early closure of the fontanel has a significant effect on the full development of the brain, impeding its normal growth. The danger lies in the fact that early overgrown

the fontanel can be the cause of serious illness in infants. Very rarely (but there is still a chance) a baby can have one of two diseases: an anomaly in the development of the brain and craniosynostosis. These diseases are accompanied by a number of other symptoms. If the child's fontanel closes early, but the circumference of his head is normal, this means that the child is healthy.

What is the reason for the late closure of the fontanel?

Late closure of the frontal fontanel is associated with a low content in the baby's body and limits the intake of vitamin D3. And this leads to a change in bone tissue.

Why is it dangerous?

In itself, the late closure of the fontanel does not indicate danger. It is important to study the accompanying symptoms, as this can also be a dangerous signal.

The most common cause of late closure is rickets. It can also be a signal of Down syndrome, achondrodysplasia and other serious diseases. Even if the fontanel that does not close for a long time in infants does not cause concern, you should consult a specialist.

What else can the fontanel “tell” about?

There are a few more "signals" that should not be ignored:

the fontanel in infants sinks - there is not enough fluid in the body;

for a long time it is “convex” -;

enlarged sizes - violation of ossification or prematurity.

The whole body of the baby is the embodiment of fragility and insecurity, but there is the most vulnerable, small, pulsating area on his head - the crown or fontanel. This phenomenon in a newborn is one of the most exciting topics for young mothers, and for pediatricians and pediatric neurologists, it is the most important indicator of the correct development of the child. Let's try to figure out: what it is and what functions the fontanel performs in children.

Fontanelle of a newborn

The soft area on the head of a newborn is the distance or the so-called “window” between the bones of the skull. It is covered with dense, elastic connective tissue - a membrane, which, contrary to prejudices, is quite difficult to damage, and which ossifies and hardens by a certain age. Immediately after birth, the baby, normally, has 6 such "windows".

The largest fontanel in a newborn is located on the top of the head, between the two frontal bones. It is called parietal or anterior unpaired, has a diamond shape and reaches a size of up to 4 cm.

The second unpaired fontanel is located on the back of the head between the occipital and parietal bones.

The rest of the "windows" are called paired, because. are located on the sides of the head - in the temporal regions and behind the baby's ears.

As a rule, all fontanelles, except for the anterior one, are no more than 5 mm in size, and the process of ossification of the connective tissue covering them occurs much faster than the anterior one - during the first two months of a child's life, and sometimes even in the womb. Therefore, most often the parents of a newborn do not know about their existence at all.

What are the functions of the fontanel?

Despite the fact that the fragility of the baby is the cause of fears and concerns for his parents, nevertheless, even it is thought out by nature to the smallest detail. This also applies to the topic of this article. The fontanelles on the baby's head perform a number of important functions:

When does the fontanel grow in newborns?

So, we have already mentioned above that the occipital and lateral "windows" overgrow almost immediately after the birth of the child. But when should the largest anterior fontanel heal?

Experts do not name any specific dates for the ossification of the connective tissues on the head of newborns, because, like any process in the body, it proceeds depending on the individual characteristics of the child's body. There is an opinion that the time of their healing can be genetically determined, and also depends on the sex of the newborn.

If we talk about approximate terms, then, as a rule, the fontanel in newborns heals at the age of 6 months to 1.5 years, sometimes this process can continue up to 2 years of the child. Minor deviations should not be a cause for concern for parents, because. they are considered the norm.

Indicators of the norm of the fontanel and their deviations

As we have already found out, normally, the crown of a newborn closes by about two years, has the shape of a rhombus and is 2 to 4 cm in size, depending on the degree of maturity of the baby. Also, the norm will be a slight increase in the first month of a child's life, due to the rapidly increasing brain size. A slight protrusion or retraction of the membrane relative to the level of the skull bones may also be normal.

However, there are exceptions to everything. Sometimes deviations in the timing of overgrowing or the size of the crown may indicate some pathologies.

For example, a long non-healing, large fontanel in a child may indicate a number of diseases such as, for example:

• down syndrome
• hydrocephalus
• hypothyroidism
• rickets

Also, a too small fontanel in a newborn may indicate any health problem, i.e. when early ossification of the connective tissue occurs. In this case, we can talk about such deviations:

• microcephaly
• craniostenosis
• developmental anomalies of the brain
• meningitis
• excess calcium in the body of a newborn

A cause for concern should be a fontanel that is obviously convex or sunken in shape. This may be an indicator of pathologies such as:

• meningitis
• encephalitis
• tumor formations
• intracranial pressure

But it should be remembered that any disease has a complex of symptoms, so it is impossible to draw conclusions based only on the "behavior" of the fontanel of a newborn. If there is nothing more alarming in the behavior of the baby, most likely, its development proceeds in the normal mode. Only a specialist can determine compliance with the norm or deviation from it, visits to which should not be neglected.

Why does the fontanel in the baby pulsate?

A completely physiological feature for a healthy newborn is a slight pulsation of the membrane. The fact is that the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain, constantly circulates in the cerebrospinal fluid pathways. This leads to the pulsation of the brain tissue, which we observe in newborns under the connective tissue that covers the distance between the frontal and parietal bones.

The pulsation of the fontanel of the newborn is also provoked by the beating of the heart - each contraction of it leads to a rush of blood to the brain, this leads to the rhythmic movement of the crown of the child.

There are some deviations from the norm, which should alert the parents of the newborn and serve as a reason to see a doctor:

• the fontanel pulsates too intensely
• does not pulsate at all
• the pulsation of the crown is accompanied by a strong anxiety of the child: constant crying; bad sleep; regurgitation; refusal to eat, etc.

In the process of growing up and healing the fontanel, the nature of the pulsation will change somewhat.
If the first two months of a newborn's life, the pulsation of the membrane is almost constant and visible to the naked eye, then by about three months of age it will be noticeable only during crying or when the child is very stressed.

How to care for the baby's fontanel?

Young parents consider the fontanel on the head of their crumbs the most vulnerable, easily injured place and simply prefer not to touch it. This is not quite the right approach, because. this area in a child is covered with the same skin as his entire body, therefore, it requires care and hygiene. There are no special rules for caring for a child's crown, it is enough to take into account some of its nuances:

• it cannot be pressed;
• comb your hair very carefully without touching the fontanel;
• protect the newborn from hitting the head during games, swaddling, bathing;
• if it is necessary to remove the birth crusts from the scalp of a newborn, it must be carefully lubricated with oil half an hour before bathing

Experts also advise regularly changing the position of the baby's body, turning him from side to side, picking him up, laying him on his stomach. When the baby is in one position for a long time, there is uneven pressure on the fontanel area, which can lead to a shift in the bones of the child's skull and, subsequently, to its deformation.

The birth of a child is not only a miracle in the philosophical sense. It's also technically a miracle. Nature has thought through this process to such an extent that in order to pass through the mother's birth canal, the child's head is able to decrease in size, acquire an oblong shape and flatten laterally.

This is facilitated by the presence of gaps between the bones of the skull, filled with plates of connective tissue. These are fontanelles, the condition, overgrowth and bulging of which so often worries parents.

Despite the fact that there are six of them at birth, five of them grow so quickly that many parents do not even have time to know about their existence. All worries go around the most noticeable fontanel - the frontal or large fontanel (BR).

If the purpose of the small fontanelles ended after birth, then the large one in children continues to perform the functions of shock absorption, preventing fractures and injuries of the skull during falls and bumps.

When does a child's fontanel close?

If your child is already a year old, and his fontanel has not overgrown, then there is no reason for concern. Normally, this physiological process ends in 1-1.5 years. If the timing of its closure in your baby does not fit into the norm, then see a doctor. He will determine what is the cause: a disease or a developmental feature of the child.

What should be the fontanel in the norm?

After the birth of a child, as well as monthly when visiting a doctor, the pediatrician evaluates his condition, size, rate of decrease, and density of the surrounding bones.

Normally, the size of the fontanel in a healthy full-term baby is 2.5 - 3 cm, which is estimated by palpation and measuring the distance between opposite sides of the rhombus. Premature babies have a larger BR, about 3.5 by 3.5 cm. And large babies born at 41-42 weeks may have a smaller BR. All of this is normal. By the way, the fontanel of a month-old baby may be slightly larger than at birth. This is due to the intensive growth of the brain.

What should be the size of the BR at a certain age, it is impossible to say for sure. Some sources give the following numbers:

• 1.8-2 cm at three months;
• 1.8-1.6 cm in six months;
• 1.3-1.4 cm at 9 months;
• 0.4-0.8 cm per year.

However, they can be guided only approximately, because:

• All children initially have different sizes (within the normal range).
• The size of the fontanel does not affect the growth rate. A large one can drag on for a year, and a small one for 1.5 years.

However, all fontanelles during examination should not be tense, not bulge, be at the level of the cranial bones. It is permissible for the spring to sink or bulge slightly, and also to pulsate. The frontal and parietal bones, surrounding it should be dense, without areas of softening.

What to do if the fontanel does not close?

If by the age of 18 months the baby's fontanel is still closed, then you need to see a doctor. This may be normal for your child, or it may be a symptom of a pathological condition.

Pathology	Impact on BR	Additional research	Your actions
Rickets	As a result of calcium deficiency, the bones soften, including the bones of the skull. The BR is open for a long time, the edges of the bones are soft to the touch. Lethargy, sweating during sleep, nape baldness appear. Bone growths form on the ribs and wrists. The shins are bent (see rickets in infants)	Pediatrician examination Blood test for calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase Urine test according to Sulkovich	Therapy with therapeutic doses of vitamin D
Achondrodysplasia	A disease of the bone tissue that leads to impaired growth. The skeleton becomes disproportionate, the limbs are short, and the head is massive and wide. BR does not drag on for a long time.	genetics consultation Skull x-ray PCR for gene mutation.	Prescribed growth hormone somatotopin
congenital hypothyroidism	The lack of thyroid hormones, which, among other things, regulate bone growth, leads to a long-term non-overgrowth of the fontanel. In addition, the child has constipation, a nasal voice, sometimes combined with umbilical hernias. Children are lethargic, drowsy, often large.	Consultation of a pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist. Blood test for TSH, T3 and T4. Thyroid ultrasound	Replacement treatment with thyroid hormones
Hydrocephalus	The increased pressure of the liquor does not allow the cranial bones to "converge". Together with the BR, which rises above the bones, the circumference of the head also increases. Additionally, the child may have convulsions, developmental delay, hearing and vision problems.	Observation of a pediatric neurologist brain ultrasound	Treatment with anticonvulsants, diuretics, nootropics. Sometimes a shunt is performed.

If the child has a small fontanel, then a pediatrician, endocrinologist and neurologist will need to be consulted. By the way, in 1% of cases, the spring can overgrow in 3 months. This is unusual, but if all other indicators of development are normal, then everything is fine. But sometimes small sizes accompany pathology.

Pathology	Impact on BR	Additional research	Treatment
Craniosynostosis	The sutures of the skull and fontanels fuse quickly and early. There may be a deformation of the skull, jaw, secondary hydrocephalus.	Skull x-ray MRI, head CT	Surgical incision of sutures
Microcephaly	An anomaly in the development of the brain, in which the bones of the brain part of the skull stop growing, and the facial part continues to grow. The brain remains small and underdeveloped. developmental delay. More.	Observation of a neurologist brain ultrasound Electroencephalography genetics consultation	Symptomatic therapy
Increased function of the parathyroid glands	Violation of the exchange of calcium and phosphorus leads to an increase in calcium in the blood. Early closure of the fontanel is combined with bone pain, arrhythmia, damage to the kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract.	Blood test for calcium and phosphorus The level of parahormone in the blood Ultrasound of the thyroid and parathyroid glands X-ray of the bones of the skull	Surgical treatment

If the fontanel is too large

A large BR is considered to be larger than 3.5 cm. This may be normal in premature or immature babies. For the rest, it is obligatory to consult a pediatric neurologist and perform an ultrasound of the brain, an electroencephalogram to exclude hydrocephalus and increased intracranial pressure.

The brain is very well supplied with blood, and its vessels are located close to the heart, so the blood flows in them under great pressure and with strong points. This pulsation is transmitted to the cerebrospinal fluid, to the membranes of the brain, to the plate that closes the large fontanel in children. Therefore, a slight pulsation is normal.

However, if the fontanel pulsates strongly, then this may be a signal of the disease. Other symptoms are usually present: dehydration, diarrhea, intoxication, high fever, vomiting (see frequent regurgitation or vomiting in infants). In this case, diagnosis and urgent treatment is necessary.

If the child has a sunken fontanel

The retraction of the fontanel (sunken) indicates dehydration of the child or malnutrition. The lack of fluid may occur against the background of:

• heat;
• overheating with strong wrapping;
• high temperature and intoxication;
• with severe vomiting, diarrhea.

Lost fluid must be replenished. In case of overheating and temperature of the baby, it is necessary to cool and drink. With an intestinal infection, when one drink is not enough, the child will undergo invasive therapy in a hospital.

What does a protruding fontanel mean?

The BR may bulge (raise above the level of the surrounding bones of the skull) against the background of intracranial pressure, which may be due to diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, intracranial bleeding, tumors, or for another reason. If, in addition to swelling, the following symptoms are observed, you should urgently call a doctor or an ambulance:

How to take care of him?

No special action is required. Despite the fact that the plate of connective tissue covering it is thin, it is equally strong. Therefore, when combing or examining the fontanel by a doctor, nothing terrible will happen. However, you should not be zealous with scallop movements either. For a child, this may be simply unpleasant. You can also not be afraid to wash your hair or cut your child's hair.

zdravotvet.ru

Why does the fontanel in a child not overgrow? What to look out for

The development of an infant in the first year of life greatly worries young parents. Moms worry if the teeth are “late”, or the neighbor’s baby is already walking, and his child is still afraid to let go of the support. One of these burning topics is the issue of overgrowing the fontanel. Mothers often worry about why the fontanel in a child does not overgrow. Will try to answer.

The role of the fontanel

Most mothers know that the fontanel is necessary for the child to successfully pass through the birth canal. The head of the baby, due to the presence of the fontanel, is somewhat deformed and compressed, so the process of childbirth is easier.

It is for this reason that the shape of the head of a newborn child can surprise an ignorant person. But after a few days, due to the elasticity of the tissues of the fontanel, the head takes on a normal shape.

Few people know, but the baby at birth has not one, but as many as six fontanelles (anterior, wedge-shaped (left. right), mastoid (left, right), posterior). It's just that the first five grow very quickly, literally in the first days and weeks of life. The largest fontanel, located at the crown, remains open longer.

This is necessary to ensure the normal growth of the bones of the skull. The fastest growth and change in the bones of the skull is carried out in the first 2 years, and the fontanel also contributes to this to some extent. By the way, if it happened that the fontanel closed a little ahead of time, then there is nothing to worry about, the growth of the bones of the skull will not stop from this.

In addition, the fontanel also performs protective functions. For example, it protects the baby from head injuries. It's no secret that even the most attentive parents of children periodically fall and at the same time can hit their heads. Upon impact, the fontanel plays the role of a kind of shock absorber, so ordinary falls do not bring harm to health. The time of complete overgrowth of the fontanel coincides with the age when the baby already knows how to walk well and the likelihood of falls is somewhat reduced.

Another important function of the fontanelle is participation in the functions of thermoregulation of the body. So, part of the heat is removed through the fontanel if the child is sick and has a temperature. It is thanks to the fontanel that the baby’s brain suffers less from high temperature, which reduces the likelihood of developing phenomena such as convulsions, etc.

The fontanel helps not only the baby, but also the doctors. Through this place, an important examination of the brain can be performed, which is necessary if the child has neurological problems.

Norms

The front fontanel, located on the top of the baby, has the shape of a rhombus, and its dimensions can vary from 5 to 30 mm. If the mother wants to take the size of the fontanel on her own, then she needs to determine the distance between the two most distant points and divide the resulting measurement in half.

As a rule, two measurements are taken - longitudinal and transverse, these measurements are recorded on the map approximately in this form - 1.5 x 0.5 cm.

The initial size of the fontanel does not affect the rate of its overgrowth, but according to the observations of pediatricians, overgrowth in boys occurs a little faster.

On average, the age of overgrowth of the fontanel is 16-24 months, however, deviations in both directions are quite acceptable. The norm is the overgrowth of the fontanel after a year. However, the process of tightening the fontanel, as well as all other processes in the body, proceed individually.

Normally, the fontanel on the baby's head is almost invisible visually, but if you run your hand over the head, you can easily feel it. It is not considered a deviation if the fontanel protrudes slightly above the surface of the head or sinks quite a bit.

Mothers are often frightened if they notice that the skin in the area where the fontanel is located is pulsating. If this happens infrequently (as a rule, during the period when the child is excited), then there is nothing to worry about.

Monthly rates

To make it easier for parents to understand, we present the average size of the fontanel in infants by month. But keep in mind that the given norms are approximate, so if you find small deviations, you should not panic. Although, of course, you need to ask questions to the pediatrician.

So, the size of the fontanel, depending on the age of the baby:

• 0-1 months - 20-30 mm;
• 1-3 months - 18-20 mm;
• 4-6 months - 16-17 mm;
• 8-9 months - 12-14 mm;
• 11-12 months - 4-8 mm.

What affects the speed of tightening?

The following factors can influence the growth rate:

• Prematurity. This is one of the most common reasons why a fontanel does not grow in a child for a long time. Such babies, as a rule, are a little behind in physical development, but by the age of 2-3 they successfully catch up with their peers who were born on time.

• Growth rate. Some children grow ahead of the dates indicated in the tables; in such children, the fontanel overgrows somewhat faster.

• Nutrition. It has been noticed that in babies who receive breast milk, the overgrowth of the fontanel occurs faster than in those who eat mixtures. After all, it is mother's milk that is ideally balanced for full development.

• Hereditary and congenital syndromes. Late overgrowth of the fontanel is possible with congenital hypothyroidism, Down's syndrome and other diseases.

• Nutrient deficiency. The speed of tightening the fontanelle depends on the presence of vitamin D3 in the body.

What does the doctor pay attention to?

Children under one year of age are examined by a pediatrician monthly. Each time, the doctor should pay attention to the condition of the fontanel and measure the circumference of the head. These two parameters are very important for assessing the condition of the baby and the characteristics of its development.

The following points may alert the doctor:

• the fontanel is clearly visible on the head, it represents an owl cavity or, on the contrary, protrudes above the bones of the skull;

• the fontanel grows too slowly or too quickly.

If the fontanel looks like a hollow, then you can suspect that the child's body is dehydrated. This can happen due to an illness that is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, fever. If dehydration is insignificant, then the child is prescribed special solutions that need to be drunk. But if such simple measures do not help, or dehydration is severe from the very beginning, you need to call an ambulance so that the child can be helped in a hospital setting.

If, on the contrary, the fontanel protrudes noticeably above the bones of the skull, then this symptom can indicate such serious diseases as hydrocephalus, intracranial pressure, meningitis, etc. In this case, neurosonography can be prescribed - a special examination conducted through the fontanel.

This examination is absolutely safe for the baby, it will not cause him pain and discomfort. In its principle, neurosonography is similar to ultrasound. Thanks to this examination, it will be possible to identify any, even minor disorders in the brain.

If the baby is prescribed such an examination, the mother does not need to be scared. As already mentioned, it does not hurt, and you can do the procedure as many times as required. The procedure itself takes no more than 15 minutes, no special preparation is required for it.

Pathologies are considered if a large fontanel overgrows in the first three months of a child's life. In other cases, earlier tightening is considered a variant of the norm. The rapid overgrowth of the fontanel can be caused by an excess of vitamin D3. This happens if a mother takes some kind of supplements containing this vitamin in large quantities and at the same time breastfeeds her baby.

Too fast tightening of the fontanel is not so common. Much more often, mothers are worried that the fontanel in the child is poorly overgrown. In fact, this phenomenon is common, often complete ossification of the bones of the skull is observed only by the age of three.

To find out the causes of this phenomenon, the pediatrician may recommend donating blood to find out the level of calcium and phosphorus, as well as undergo other tests to rule out rickets.

However, according to Dr. Komarovsky, there is no direct connection between the speed of tightening the fontanel and rickets. Although this symptom should not be ignored.

In fact, rickets is a condition characterized by a lack of calcium in the body. If it is detected in the early stages, then the disease is quite easily treated and does not leave any consequences. But in the absence of treatment, serious consequences are observed up to the deformation of the bones of the skeleton. Therefore, at a low rate of overgrowth of the fontanel, children may be prescribed calcium and vitamin D supplements.

4allwomen.ru

The fontanel does not grow

In order to make it easier for a child to pass through the birth canal, the bones of his skull converge, on his head there is a so-called fontanel - an elastic gap between the bones of the skull. Over time, it should completely overgrow. However, this does not always happen, and parents may notice that the fontanel in the child does not overgrow.

When is the fontanel completely overgrown?

There are fontanelles on the head of the child:

As a rule, a small fontanel overgrows by the time of birth or by the end of the first week of a newborn's life.

A large fontanel, on average, closes by the baby's first birthday, but can close at 16 months, which is also the norm of development.

Why does the fontanel not overgrow for a long time?

However, it happens that a large fontanel may not overgrow for a long time. This is due to the following reasons:

• rickets;
• hydrocephalus;
• metabolic disease;
• hypoxia in childbirth.

It is possible that during pregnancy a woman spent little time outdoors, did not consume enough dairy products and vitamin-mineral complexes. As a result, the child in the future has difficulties with the overgrowth of the fontanel.

What to do to overgrown the fontanel?

If the child's fontanel does not close for a long period of time, then it is necessary to drink a course of vitamin D3. In order to strengthen the bones of the baby, you need to adjust his diet and introduce foods that contain a large amount of calcium, cottage cheese, egg yolk.

If parents are concerned about the size of the fontanel in their child, you can show it to a neurologist, who will additionally prescribe neurosonography. It is possible that blood and urine tests may be required to determine the level of phosphorus and calcium.

Parents should remember that each child is individual, as well as the pace of his development and the characteristics of his health. Therefore, the timing of overgrowth of the fontanel may be different. However, you should not worry too much and panic if the fontanel does not overgrow, but the child feels comfortable, sleeps well, eats and has a good mood during the day. A simple dynamic observation by a neurologist will allow you to control the process of overgrowth of the fontanel, and properly selected nutrition with a high content of calcium will accelerate its closure. And parents only need to observe the behavior of their child and his health.

Related articles:

Cerebral hypertension in infants One of the neurological pathologies found in children is increased intracranial pressure - cerebral hypertension. In our article, we will talk in more detail about the causes and treatment of this phenomenon.	Syndrome of movement disorders in newborns The syndrome of motor disorders in newborns is a complex of disorders of the motor sphere. However, you should not immediately draw terrible diagnoses in your head. Most of them are quite correctable.
Pylorospasm in newborns Pylorospasm is a phenomenon that the baby's parents may encounter in the first months of his life, which is expressed in regurgitation with a fountain and frequent vomiting. We will tell you how serious this disease is and how to treat it.	Why does a newborn sneeze? Sometimes parents of a newly born baby notice that he sneezes too often. What is the cause of this phenomenon and should I be worried? Let's figure it out in our article.

womanadvice.ru

When should the fontanel in babies overgrow? Should parents worry about overgrowing too fast or too slow?

Many concerns of parents are associated with a pulsating area on the head of a newborn - a fontanelle. Anxiety causes care for the baby, there is a fear of harming him when exposed to an unprotected area. Parents are especially interested in when the fontanel in an infant overgrows, which is the norm, what deviations are possible.

Peculiarities

The fontanel is formed at the junction of the cranial bones of the child, connected by soft membranous tissue. It is dense enough to protect the brain from external influences: you can not be afraid to wash, comb and stroke the baby's head.

In the process of intrauterine development, 6 fontanelles are formed:

• Two pairs on the sides (in front of the auricles and behind them) are rather narrow, more like seams. They are delayed by the time of birth or immediately after it and are invisible to parents:
• Small in the occipital region (approximately 5 mm in diameter) - in most cases it closes during fetal development, more often observed in premature babies. Its overgrowing with bone tissue lasts from several days to two months;
• The large one, located on the crown of the head, is tightened last. Its dimensions vary between 22-35 mm.

An infant can be born with a pathologically large fontanel as a result of prematurity, hydrocephalus (accumulation of excess fluid in the ventricles of the brain), or disorders in the development of the skeletal system. The reduced size of the parietal and complete closure of the remaining fontanelles is possible with a disproportion of a too small skull and brain compared to other parts of the body. Such cases require medical supervision, additional studies to determine the causes. The rate of overgrowth of the fontanel in babies with congenital pathologies may differ compared to children without deviations.

Important!

generally accepted norms

The parietal fontanel is characterized by a rhomboid shape, the width and length of which are in the range of 5–35 mm. To calculate the size, you need to determine the maximum dimensions of the soft area along and across, add the resulting numbers and divide by two. The average parameters of the parietal fontanel, depending on age, are shown in the table:

Dimensions are approximate, a deviation of a few mm up or down is acceptable. In the first three months, a slight increase in the fontanel is possible due to the intensive growth of the brain.

There is a dependence on the sex of the child (in boys, the soft area tightens faster) and heredity: if one of the parents had early or late overgrowth without pathologies, a peculiarity may appear in the baby.

When should the fontanel drag on?

Dr. Komarovsky notes that normally tissue ossification occurs between the ages of 3 and 24 months. The exact time individually, depends on the characteristics of the development of the child. Closure is rare in three-month-old babies - about 1%, in about 40% an overgrown fontanelle is observed at the age of one, by two years the process is completed in 95% of babies. Later overgrowth is possible, in the absence of developmental abnormalities, it is considered normal.

fast overgrowth

The fontanel can drag on for a baby up to 6 months. With normal growth and development, this is not a deviation. The ossification of the soft tissue of the fontanel at the age of up to three months is considered too early. Occurs as a result of pathologies:

• Craniosynostosis is a deviation in the formation of bone tissue, in which the fontanel is quickly tightened and the cranial sutures are completely fused, preventing the normal development of the brain. May be congenital or acquired, in most cases observed in combination with other developmental disorders;
• Microcephaly - expressed in a decrease in the size of the head, refers to severe deviations in the development of the central nervous system. The main symptom is a reduced head circumference, a violation of proportions relative to other parts of the body;
• Anomalies in the development of the brain - violations in its structure, a decrease in size, weight.

Such deviations are rare, not limited to manifestation in the form of a rapidly overgrowing fontanel.

slow closing

This problem is more common, occurs if the baby:

• Congenital pathologies of the thyroid gland. Manifested by drowsiness, swelling, low activity of the baby, poor appetite, digestive problems, constipation;
• Rickets - they often affect premature babies. May occur with a lack of vitamin D or calcium in the body. Symptoms are sleep disturbance, appetite, increased nervous excitability, sweating with the appearance of a specific sour smell;
• Bone disease caused by genetic abnormalities - achondrodysplasia. Accompanied by growth retardation, shortened limbs, leads to dwarfism;
• Down's disease is a developmental delay.

Serious diseases are quite rare, a comprehensive examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. To make a diagnosis, you need to consult a neurologist, an endocrinologist.

Common myths

The most common misconceptions associated with the overgrowth of the fontanel:

• Early closure limits brain growth. The bones of the skull are connected by sutures, which are completely fused after 20 years. They provide normal head growth and brain development. In case of early overgrowth of the fontanel, the condition of the seams is checked: if they are not closed, then there is no danger for the further development of the child.
• Rapid overgrowth is caused by taking vitamin D and calcium supplements. They are prescribed taking into account the development of the baby for the prevention of rickets, only a lack of substances can affect the growth of bone tissue, which slows down the process and increases the period of overgrowth. The very intake of minerals, vitamins does not cause an acceleration of tissue ossification, it is an individual feature or occurs with violations in the development of the baby.
• If by the year the fontanel in a child does not overgrow, then he has rickets. The disease is manifested by a number of signs and cannot be determined only by the rate of ossification of the membranous tissue on the baby's head.
• A small fontanel in a baby at birth should grow faster and vice versa. The timing of tightening does not depend on the initial size of the membrane, but on the characteristics of the organism.

There is no exact time when a large fontanel in newborns overgrows. The process takes place individually, it is influenced by various factors. It is impossible to independently make diagnoses in case of deviations from the generally accepted terms for overgrowth of the fontanel. This cannot be the only symptom of serious diseases - they always have additional signs.

It is forbidden to independently prescribe medicines and use folk methods. For the health of the baby, it is important to follow the rule: discuss any concerns with the pediatrician, who, if necessary, will prescribe additional studies. In addition to the size of the fontanel, you need to pay attention to its condition: excessively convex or sunken may be a sign of illness or a deterioration in the child's condition.

How to lose weight after childbirth?

How to lose weight after childbirth?

Many women after childbirth are faced with the problem of the appearance of excess weight. For some, they appear during pregnancy, for others - after childbirth.

• And now you can no longer afford to wear open swimsuits and short shorts ...
• You start to forget those moments when men complimented your flawless figure...
• Every time you approach the mirror, it seems to you that the old days will never return ...

But there is an effective remedy for excess weight! Follow the link and find out how Anna lost 24 kg in 2 months.