Patient's question:
My baby is 11 and a half months old, and the anterior fontanelle closure is too slow. What should I do? From February to 11 and a half months, it has been 2.0-2.0—is it growing too fast? No abnormalities in growth have been observed. It's incurable. Please tell me why the anterior fontanelle doesn't close.Doctor's answer:
After a child is born, the anterior fontanelle typically closes around 1 to 1.5 years of age. If the baby's fontanelle has not closed by the time they are two years old, it is recommended that you take the child to the hospital for a check-up on trace elements and skeletal X-ray imaging. The reasons for an unclosed fontanelle can be attributed to the following conditions:1. Hydrocephalus: This is a congenital abnormality, and there is currently no specific treatment. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.
2. Cretinism: This is a condition of hypothyroidism, most of which is congenital. It can affect intelligence and growth and development, but can be treated with thyroid hormone.
3. The most common cause is rickets, also known as "soft bone disease" in folk terms. Most cases are due to insufficient sunlight exposure or improper feeding. Severe cases of this condition may delay the closure of the fontanelle until 2 to 3 years of age, along with other neurological and nutritional deficiencies.
If the baby does not have hydrocephalus or calcium deficiency, it is recommended that you take the child to the endocrinology department for further evaluation to identify the cause of delayed fontanelle closure. Additionally, it is advisable to have regular health check-ups for the child.