Question
The child’s anterior fontanelle was abnormally jumping at birth. The doctor informed us that the fontanelle had already shown signs of premature closure at three months old. The child also has outward bowing of the internal bones and digestive problems. How should we handle this situation?
Answer
The fontanelle is one of the windows reflecting brain development. If it closes before six months, it may indicate that the child could have microcephaly or poor brain development; if it closes after 18 months, it’s already too late. Premature closure of the fontanelle may be associated with conditions such as hydrocephalus, rickets, and dementia. A bulging fontanelle may indicate increased intracranial pressure, potentially leading to meningitis, encephalitis, and vitamin A toxicity. Children with depressed fontanelle may suffer from dehydration and malnutrition. If the fontanelle closes prematurely but the head circumference continues to grow, there is generally no need to worry excessively. If an abnormal closure of the fontanelle is detected, the child should be taken to the hospital for further examination immediately.