Fontanel, or fontanelle, refer to the “soft spots” or gaps located between the bones of the skull of a newborn baby. There are two primary fontanels, the anterior and posterior fontanels, which are located at the front and the back of the head, respectively. The fontanels are made of connective tissue and allow the baby’s head to adjust in size as it moves down the birth canal and during the growth of the brain. The fontanels also allow for the expansion of the brain and the growth of the skull (Taylor, 2019).
Fontanels are important in the immediate postnatal period and beyond. During the delivery of a baby, the fontanels can be palpated and used to assess the position of the baby in the birth canal. This information can help determine the best approach for delivery and can help prevent complications. After birth, the fontanels are used to assess the size and shape of the baby’s head, as well as the size of the baby’s brain. The fontanels can also be used to detect early signs of intracranial pressure, which can indicate the presence of a potentially serious condition such as meningitis (Mayo Clinic, 2020).
When the baby is born, the fontanels are normally quite soft. As the baby grows, the fontanels will become less prominent as the skull grows and the bones fuse together. This process usually begins within the first few weeks of life and is completed by the age of two. In some cases, a fontanel may remain open beyond the age of two, and this is referred to as a “persistent fontanel” (Taylor, 2019).
The presence of a persistent fontanel does not necessarily indicate a health problem, but it may indicate that the baby is not growing normally. In such cases, a pediatrician should be consulted to investigate the cause and to ensure the baby’s growth and development are progressing normally. In some cases, a persistent fontanel can be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as craniosynostosis, which is a condition in which the bones of the skull fuse prematurely (Mayo Clinic, 2020).
In conclusion, fontanels are important structures in the newborn baby and can be used to assess the baby’s position during delivery, the size and shape of the head, and the size of the baby’s brain. The fontanels usually fuse together over the first two years of life, but in some cases, a persistent fontanel may remain, which may indicate an underlying medical condition.
References
Mayo Clinic. (2020). Fontanelle (Soft Spot) in Babies. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fontanelle/basics/causes/sym-20050748
Taylor, A. (2019). Fontanel: Definition, Development & Clinical Significance. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/fontanel-definition-development-and-clinical-significance-2759049