Fontanel?

[jogami]

Hi ladies!

My son's fontanel (the soft spot on his head); closed between 6 and 9 months; I really can't remember exactly when. I heard it should close completely by 2! Now I'm freaking out as I heard if it closes too early babies are at risk of craniosynostosis meaning they need surgery to correct their skulls?! I'm so afraid! Whenever I've taken him for his check-ups his paedriatrician has never mentioned anything wrong with it! I just don't know if I need a second opion.

I read that if it's hard its fine and if it's lumpy you should have it checked out. His is hard but it feels like a bony vein if that makes sense??? So I ASSUME it's fine!

He is growing beautifully and is a joyous (if not too busy child) with his motor skills very advanced.

Should I worry? If anyone could shed some light on this I'd be very grateful.

For those that say I should take him back to the paed I plan to eventually. I just work full time and she is fully booked up for at least the next month (unless it's an emergency of course!).

Any experience with this?

xxx

 

[OmarsMum]

Omar's was close at 10 months, his paed was never worried. His head is a bit small compared to his body but his dad also have a small head.

 

[sapphire1]

I'll be honest, I thought it could be a problem. My LO's fontanelle hasn't closed, but we are awaiting x-ray results to see if she has craniosynostosis, as her head seems to be growing funny. The doctors we saw said the fact that her fontanelle hasn't closed is a good sign. However, if your paed knows it has closed, and isn't concerned, perhaps it isn't a problem. I'm a bit of a worrier though, and would want a second opinion. x x

 

[lori]

I'm really not sure. I thought that it usually closes around 18 months (on average). As you said, it's worth mentioning to your doctor

 

[summer rain]

I've heard the minimum it should close is 9 months; however sometimes when it appears to a lay person the fontanelle has closed; it hasn't because from what I've read the membrane over the top of the gap hardens but there may still be room for expansion underneath-couldn't you call the paediatrician for reassurance even if you cannot actually go? xx

 

[minties]

Can you see a regular GP? Not having a doctor available for a month is a bit of a worry.

 

[lisaf]

At 10 days old, an ER doc said our son's was totally closed (ER visit was unrelated and turned out to be nothing). Our pediatrician saw him 2 days later and said it wasn't closed, it was just super small. He did warn us of the possible problems, but said not to worry. He said that they'd track his head growth and as long as it stays on track then it will be fine.

Hope that helps Its not an urgent issue if it is happening though.. they will keep an eye on it!

 

[jogami]

Thanks everyone! I'm also a worrier so I will have it checked out definitely! Thanks for shedding some light on this subject. I suppose when our babies develop "out of the norm" we tend to worry... I've booked an appointment for 3 weeks time. He goes for his vaccs this weekend though and I'll ask the nurse doing them if she things it needs to be seen to sooner

 

[WW1]

Hi hun. My LO had craniosynostosis and had surgery to correct it last January. Her fontanelle was open still so it doesn't have to be closed to be cranio. Also, not all cranio requires surgery to correct it - it really depends on the sutures which have fused.

If your LOs head looks "normal" and has grown as it should then it's unlikely you have anything to worry about. It's always worth a check though as it's better to be on the safe side.

Let us know how you get on