In many young families, a miracle happens - this is the birth of a baby. A baby is born - a new little man who really needs care, love, affection, attention and warmth. A healthy child is the dream of any parents. Of course, the current state of our ecology leaves much to be desired. When a baby appears, parents have a lot of questions that they ask in the hospital, their pediatrician and, of course, discuss with friends. No exception are questions about the fontanel. What is a fontanel? What is it for? How many babies do they have? When does the fontanel in a child overgrow? What sizes of fontanelles in children are considered normal?
Fontanel. What is it?
The gaps in those places where the cranial bones are connected are called fontanelles. When the baby's fontanel is not yet closed, you need to pay great attention to this. Of course, this can help with a fall - soften the blow. A large fontanel protects your baby, because it does not drag on until about two years.
How many fontanelles do children have?
According to doctors, the kids have six fontanelles. In the first week of life, four of them are closed, the fifth is closed by five months, and the sixth is in every baby at his age. The large fontanel is located on the top of the head, in the way of connecting the frontal and parietal bones of the skull. Neurologists are involved in the diagnosis of the fontanel, they carefully monitor the speed of its development. If there are any deviations, then they can tell about the development of pathology by studying the fontanel.
The sizes of fontanelles in children
The fontanel size from 0.6 to 3.6 cm is considered the norm. These sizes are extremely individual. Sometimes there is an increase in the fontanel after birth. This is normal, because the baby’s brain is growing very actively.
When does the fontanel in a child overgrow?
Parents are sometimes even afraid to touch the fontanel, because there is a feeling that there is simply nothing under the thin scalp. Do not be afraid to stroke the fontanel, nothing terrible can happen. The fontanel of the rhomboid form slightly
pulsates. Ripple intensifies when the baby cries or eats. This is considered the norm. In the calm state of the baby, he should not pulsate. But parents are increasingly asking the question of when the fontanel in the child will overgrow. This process is considered quite lengthy. After all, soft tissue under the skin should grow with bone. In a small percentage of children, a large fontanel overgrows at the age of 3 months; in almost 95% of children, a large fontanel closes by two years. Also, statistics prove that in boys it closes faster than in girls. When the fontanel in a child overgrows, we found out.
Fontanelle swelling and dropping
There are two very important two questions related to the fontanel. If he has sunk, then this may indicate dehydration of the baby's body. Symptoms of this may include fever,
vomiting, and diarrhea. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. Swelling of the fontanel may indicate an increase in intracranial pressure. Signs are slightly different - drowsiness, irritability, fever and vomiting. This may happen after a fall or injury. The recommendation is the same - immediately consult a doctor.
In any case, you need not sound the alarm, but consciously and in an adult approach to solving such issues. Do not be afraid to ask doctors about what you do not know, and never self-medicate! Health to your children!