Illustration of infant fontanel development
Before discussing the development of fontanels in infants, we need to first understand what fontanelles are. Fontans are grooves in the human skull. Fontanelles are found in the skulls of newborns and infants and serve to support the brain. Understanding the development of a baby\’s fontanels is crucial to ensuring normal development of the baby.
Stages of fontanel development
When a newborn is born, there are two fontanelles on the skull, namely the anterior fontanelle and the posterior fontanel. The anterior fontanel is located directly in front of the skull and is shaped like a rhombus with a size of approximately 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm. The posterior fontanel is located at the back of the skull and is triangular in shape with a size of approximately 1 cm. After a baby is born, the anterior fontanel usually gradually closes within 6 months, and the posterior fontanelle gradually closes within 3 months.
Precautions during normal development
The following things need to be noted during normal fontanel development:
1. Observe the size, shape, protrusion, etc. of the baby\’s fontanel every day to ensure its normal development;
2. Ensure that the baby maintains a suitable position to avoid fontanel protrusion caused by skull deformation;
3. Eat a balanced diet, and the infant’s intake of calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients should be within an appropriate range to promote bone development.
Types of abnormal fontanel
Abnormal fontanels are mainly divided into two types: open type and closed type:
1. Open fontanel means that the fontanel cannot be closed for a long time, which is more common in congenital malformations;
2. Closed fontanelle refers to excessive protrusion or depression of the fontanel. It is often caused by skull deformity or excessive air pressure. It can also be caused by fever or lack of wakefulness and sleep.
The dangers of abnormal fontanelle
Abnormal fontanelles can affect a baby\’s growth, development and intellectual development, and in severe cases can cause life-threatening diseases such as increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus.
Things to note about abnormal fontanelles
If an abnormal fontanelle is found in a baby, it is necessary to seek medical treatment promptly to diagnose the cause and provide symptomatic treatment. The following things need to be noted during treatment:
1. After confirming the cause of the disease, carry out treatment according to the doctor\’s instructions;
2. Adjust diet, increase intake of nutrients, and promote bone growth and development;
3. Observe the changes in the baby\’s fontanel regularly, and deal with any abnormalities in time.
Summary
The development of fontanel is one of the important indicators of the growth and development of infants and young children. Understanding its normal development process is crucial to ensuring the healthy development of infants. Once an abnormality in the fontanel is discovered, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly and receive treatment according to the doctor\’s instructions. At the same time, maintaining a balanced diet, increasing the intake of nutrients, and carefully observing the development of the baby\’s fontanel will help provide symptomatic treatment and promote the growth and development of the baby\’s bones.
