Question
A 75-day-old male infant has a fontanelle that does not appear as prominently sunken as other infants, appearing relatively flat on the surface, but it can still be felt to be sunken when touched. The parents are worried whether this means the fontanelle will close prematurely and are seeking professional medical advice.
Answer
The child’s head circumference is basically normal, but the anterior fontanelle is notably smaller. It is recommended to undergo a cranial CT scan to rule out the possibility of poor brain development. Additionally, early closure of the fontanelle may be related to excessive supplementation of vitamins and trace elements. The condition of fontanelle closure is an indicator reflecting brain development. If it closes before 6 months, it may indicate microcephaly or incomplete brain development. If it has not closed by 18 months, it may suggest issues such as hydrocephalus, rickets, or cretinism. A bulging fontanelle may indicate increased intracranial pressure.