Chapter 8.2, Problem 24AYLO

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The names and locations of the fontanelles of the neonatal skull, why they exist, and how a child’s skull changes between birth and 9 years of age.

Introduction:

At birth, the cranial bones of the infant are not yet fused, and the spaces, called fontanelles, between the cranial bones of a neonate are joined only by fibrous membrane. The spaces allow the head to pass out during delivery. Changes in the nature of the neonates’ sutures and fontanelles may point to certain medical conditions. Larger than normal spaces may indicate a fluid accumulation in the cranium, bulging fontanelles indicate increased intracranial pressure, and sunken fontanelles may indicate a dehydrated condition.