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Functional Fontanels
Two Pediatricians Examine the Ins and Outs of Soft Spots
By Renee Roberson
"Sometimes parents are warned to watch for a sunken fontanel as a sign of dehydration," Dr. Jana says. "I tend to reinforce for parents that this is usually a late sign of dehydration and that they are better off looking for earlier signs such as decreased urine output, etc."
"The anterior fontanel usually closes by 1 year of age, and about 2 years for the vast majority of children," Dr. Shu says. "The posterior fontanel usually closes much earlier (by about 2 months) or may never be felt. This is OK and normal."
"This is the premature closure of one or more of the skull sutures," Dr. Shu says. "It occurs about one in 2,500 births with males more commonly affected than females. The signs of this condition are a lopsided head shape with accompanying asymmetry of the face."
"Usually, parents are most concerned about the pulsations that are sometimes visible (i.e. can see the soft spot pulsating)," Dr. Jana says. "This is generally normal but seems to cause parents additional worry."
So in reality, there's no need to have your newborn fitted for a helmet or hard hat to prevent injury to that precious soft spot. Just keep in mind that it's Mother Nature's way of preparing your baby for a smoother transition into the world, and a large part of helping your child's brain develop and grow over time.
Want to see more?
- Get to Know Your Newborn: A Head-to-toe Look at Your Baby
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- Common Infant Questions Answered: Expert Answers to Common Newborn Questions
- Check out our Article Library.
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