Question
How should a baby’s delayed fontanelle closure be treated?
Answer
The fontanelle refers to the two soft spots on a baby’s scalp at birth, medically known as “fontanelles.” The posterior fontanelle usually closes within three months after birth, while the anterior fontanelle takes until 1.5 years to close. What people commonly refer to as the “skull window” or “fontanelle” primarily refers to the anterior fontanelle. It typically reaches its largest size of 2.5-3 centimeters around 6 months of age and then gradually decreases as the skull bones ossify. Some children may have their anterior fontanelle close by the age of 1, and it should definitely close by 1.5 years at the latest.