Question
My daughter is 1 year and 8 months old, but I can still feel a small hole at the fontanel, about 1*1mm in size. The hospital check-up also confirmed that it’s not due to calcium deficiency. What’s going on?
Answer
Every child is different, and their growth rates vary. It is recommended to go back to the hospital for a follow-up check after some time. The fontanel is located at the top of the infant’s skull, resembling a diamond-shaped space, measuring about 2.5 centimeters by 2.5 centimeters (connected by two pairs of midpoints). Sometimes there may be a slight palpable jump. Normally, the fontanel closes completely between 12 and 18 months. However, children with rickets, cretinism, and hydrocephalus may experience delayed closure of the fontanel; while children with microcephaly may have an early closure. If the fontanel is completely bulging, it may indicate increased intracranial pressure, which is more common in children with meningitis and hydrocephalus. Additionally, in children with dehydration, malnutrition, and severe thinness, the fontanel may be concave. I suggest taking your child for another consultation to determine if the condition of the fontanel is normal.