Patient's question:
Have heard that babies with early-closing fontanelles are not smart. When is the fontanelle closure time for babies?Doctor's answer:
The washing of the fontanelle can be done during bathing. The action should be gentle, and a baby-specific shampoo should be used. Avoid using strong alkaline soap to prevent irritation of the scalp, which may trigger or worsen eczema.The development and changes of the fontanelle are a stage in the growth of the infant's skull. There are two types of fontanelles: the anterior fontanelle and the posterior fontanelle. At birth, both fontanelles are usually small. As the brain and skull develop, the normal fontanelles typically close completely by the age of 1 to 1.5 years. The posterior fontanelle is either very small at birth or already closed, and it should close by 6 to 8 weeks after birth at the latest.
Changes in the anterior fontanelle may include early closure, delayed closure, enlargement, shrinkage, bulging, or depression. These variations can provide clues and may indicate certain diseases. The posterior fontanelle, however, closes earlier,