Diagnosing the disease through the change of fontanelle in children

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Le Thanh Cam - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

The fontanelle and joint spaces help the skull to increase in volume as the baby's brain develops. In addition, the change of the fontanel of a child such as a bulging font or a recessed fontanelle is also a manifestation of a number of dangerous diseases. Some of these diseases can be life-threatening.

Babies are born with two fontanels, consisting of a quadrilateral anterior fontanelle bounded by two parietal and two frontal bones. The posterior fontanelle is triangular in shape, bounded by the parietal and occipital bones. The fontanelle is the part of the bone that has not fully covered the skull.
When a baby is born, the normal size of the anterior fontanelle is 2.5 x 2.5cm, after 2 to 3 months after birth the fontanel will enlarge according to the growth of the baby's head circumference, then from 12 months -18 then the fontanel closes. The posterior fontanelle immediately closes earlier than the anterior fontanel, at birth it is nearly closed or very small as a fingernail, it is closed at least 4 months after birth.
Young fontanelles that heal too soon will limit the development of the brain, affecting intelligence. Late closure of the fontanel can be a sign of rickets, malnutrition, or an abnormally large brain.
Baby fontanelle bulging or concave is also a manifestation of many dangerous diseases that need to be detected and treated promptly.

Although the fontanelle of a child only occupies a very small area, it can reflect the internal condition of the child's body. There are many diseases in children that cause fontanel changes. Therefore, detecting the change of fontanelle helps the doctor to suspect a number of diseases.
Normal fontanelle: On examination, the fontanel is flat and pulsating with the pulse of the heart. Touch the fontanelle with the tip of your finger, it feels soft and empty underneath. Bulging fontanelle: when palpating the anterior fontanel becomes full, tense, even bulging, it is necessary to examine when the child is sleeping peacefully to distinguish. A bulging fontanelle indicates increased intracranial pressure. Bulging fontanelles are seen in pathologies such as: brain hemorrhage, encephalitis, meningitis, hydrocephalus, brain tumor, etc. compare. Indented fontanelles are found in cases such as: children are dehydrated due to vomiting, diarrhea, ... If the fontanelle closes over time but does not close but expands according to the age of the child, it is an abnormal phenomenon, the bone function slow ossification. Causes may be due to thyroid function or rickets, malnutrition, or abnormal brain enlargement. If the fontanelle closes too soon, it may mean that the baby's brain or skull is ossified too soon, limiting the development of the brain, so the child's intelligence will also be affected to different degrees. The cause of the fontanelle closing too soon is usually caused by congenital deficiency or by frequent X-ray exposure during pregnancy, or after encephalitis, the brain stops developing. For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills. Parents should supplement their children with supporting products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
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