Question

My baby is 11 months old, but the fontanelle closure is slow, remaining at 2.0-2.0 centimeters since 2 months ago. Does this indicate that the child is growing too fast? I haven’t noticed any other abnormalities. What could be the reasons for the slow closure of the fontanelle?

Answer

Generally, a baby’s fontanelle closes around 1 to 1.5 years after birth. If the fontanelle has not closed by the time the child is two years old, it is advisable to take the child to the hospital for trace element tests and bone X-rays. The delayed closure of the fontanelle may be associated with the following conditions:

  1. Hydrocephalus: A congenital abnormality with no effective treatment yet, and may require surgery in severe cases.
  2. Cretinism: Hypothyroidism, often congenital, which can affect intelligence and growth development; it can be treated with thyroid hormone.
  3. The most common cause is rickets, also known as “soft bone disease,” usually due to insufficient sunlight exposure or poor diet. In severe cases, it can delay fontanelle closure to 2-3 years and be accompanied by other symptoms of nervous system and malnutrition. If the baby does not have hydrocephalus and is not calcium-deficient, it is recommended to take the child to an endocrinology department for examination. Further diagnosis of the delayed fontanelle closure should be made, and regular health checks should be conducted.