When will the fontanelle be full?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by resident Doctor Duong Van Sy - Neonatologist - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
The fontanelle is a small part of the body, but the fontanelle in a newborn baby makes mothers very concerned. This part of the newborn baby predicts quite accurately about the health condition the baby is or may encounter.

1. Structure and function of the fontanel of the newborn

Newborn fontanelle (also known as the crown port) is divided into two parts: anterior and posterior fontanelles. The front fontanelle of a child is diamond-shaped, the opening between the frontal bone and the top of the head. The posterior fontanelle is triangular in shape, the opening between the skull bone and the occipital bone. The neonatal fontanelle has a fibrous membrane structure that holds the bones of the head together and is also an elastic seam between the bones of the skull. Thanks to these fibrous membranes, the baby's head can change its size and shape to suit the mother's vaginal tract for a more favorable birth. Besides, when the baby is born, the fontanelle also acts as a cushion to protect the baby's brain from external shocks if it falls.

2. When will the fontanelle be full?

During the first months of life, the baby's skull will gradually develop, and the time for complete closure of the fontanelle is usually before 24 months. In the case of children after 2 years of age but still having fontanelles in front, parents should take the baby to see a doctor so that the doctor can check and specifically assess the baby's condition.
Premature fontanelle closure can be due to many reasons such as: congenital, early ossification of the brain or skull or maternal exposure to X-rays for a long time, and the consequences of this are to prevent brain development. development and intellectual decline of children. The late closure of the fontanel in the newborn shows the possibility of slow bone ossification due to poor thyroid function or rickets, malnutrition, even abnormally enlarged brain.

3. How to take care of a newborn's fontanelle?

Many parents often protect their baby's fontanel by wearing a hat for the first few days after birth when the weather turns cold. According to doctors, this is a very good job to help keep the child's body temperature stable.
In addition, to take care and protect the best fontanelle, parents should:
Keep the baby warm. Take your child to the doctor for vitamin D and calcium supplements as needed. Let children sunbathe every morning to prevent rickets. You also pay attention not to let your child sunbathe between 10 and 14 o'clock because it will be harmful to the child's skin. Do not introduce solid foods to babies too early. When children reach the age of weaning, parents need to give children a full range of essential nutrients. Do not let sharp objects touch the fontanelle. In short, the fontanelle of a newborn is a very sensitive body part. If there is any abnormality in this part such as: bulging fontanelle, concave fontanel, too large, too small, closing early or closing late, etc., parents should take the child away. See a doctor as soon as possible.
In addition, in order to prevent diseases that babies often get, parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve children's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.