How the fontanel develops in babies

The baby's rodney is a soft patch on the head of a newborn baby, where the cranial bones are not intergrown. As is known, passing through the mother's birth canal, the skull of a newborn is deformed, thereby facilitating the process.

Soft connective tissues of the head are called "fontanel", the baby has six: large (or anterior), small (or posterior), two lateral and two temporal. Lateral and parietal fontanels close before the birth of the child, but the large and small remain open until the age of eighteen months. Their role in the development of the baby is great.

The large fontanel in the baby has dimensions of 3x3 cm and is a diamond-shaped area on the crown. It provides elasticity of the skull during childbirth, and also protects the baby's brain from blows when falling. This is especially important for active children, who in the first years of life constantly "drop" themselves on the floor and hit their heads on the surrounding objects. Elastic tissues allow the skull to deform upon impact, without violating the integrity of the skull. At the same time, the force from shock is extinguished - thus the child's brain remains protected from serious injuries.

It is established that the brain of a newborn child grows very quickly during the first and second years of life, the same happens with the skull. At the same time, the fontanel of the baby gradually closes, that is, it becomes more firm to the touch. The norm is considered, if by two years the vertex becomes smooth and firm, and pulsation is not probed.

Every mom probably noticed how the fontanelle pulsates. This is normal, do not worry, because during crying in many children, the soft top protrudes slightly, strains and begins to pulsate. Over time, this site will gradually decrease, and until it closes, you can calmly wash your head, take care of it, and comb your child.

Many parents are interested in the question: "At what age should the fontanel in babies completely stop?" When the soft tissue is completely overgrown, the child must reach 1.5-2 years. Too late closure, as well as early, adversely affect the health of the baby. With early splicing of the bones of the skull, there may be a problem with intracranial pressure. These complications can be avoided if the mother during pregnancy will not uncontrollably take calcium preparations. They play a role in the development of the skeleton of the child. Be sure to consult with a gynecologist before prescribing calcium vitamins. It is not uncommon for children with a completely closed skull to be born. This is always associated with the risk of childbirth, both for the mother and the newborn. And further health of the baby is under threat.

Later, closure may indicate possible malformations in the development of the baby. The most common - rickets, improper metabolism, lack of vitamin D. All these troubles can be ruled out if you seek advice from a pediatrician. After simple tests, a decision will be made about further treatment. The doctor will prescribe the necessary vitamins, diet and procedures.