Anterior Fontanel (Soft Spot)
Question
My son has the biggest anterior fontanel I have ever felt (I have felt thousands!!!!!). My pedi says he is not too concerned. I am not either, but my doctor does make me nervous by telling me he wants me to report ANY developmental lag to him right away. On one hand he is blasé, then he turns around and sounds alarmed. I am really confused. It measures 3 inches front to back, 2 5/8 inches across. My baby is 6 months old and his head is growing fine (75th percentile across the chart), he is starting to sit, rolls all over, reaches etc. Am I driving myself crazy worrying for nothing???
P.S. I chatted with you in chat the other day!
Alex Sweeney RNC - Pediatric Care Coordinator - Ormond Memorial Hospital - Ormond Beach, Florida
Dr. Greene's Answer
How crazy-making! The message you are left with is, “Don’t worry, but your son might be developmentally delayed — and it’s your responsibility to pick up on the clues.” No wonder you feel the way you do. Before I answer your question, Alex, I want to tell readers who don’t have your training a little about the anterior fontanel.
The anterior fontanel, or soft spot on a baby’s skull, is a cause of concern for many parents. Elsewhere, the baby’s brain is protected by a wall of bone; here only soft, squishy tissue separates the brain from the traumas of the outside world. The soft spot seems so vulnerable. I spoke with a mother today who had never touched her son’s soft spot — she was afraid she would put her finger through it.
In truth, the soft spot is another example of the amazing design of the human body. At birth there are six soft spots, but only two are noticeable (the largest, up on top, is the anterior fontanel). The loose connections of the skull bones that intersect in the soft spots make labor and delivery possible. Without this flexible anatomy, either human babies would have to have smaller brains or human mothers would have to have wider hips if any babies were to be born.
The value of the soft spot isn’t gone when you first hold your baby in your arms. Far from making the baby more vulnerable, the soft spot protects a baby from injury. True, it makes some uncommon accidents more dangerous (landing head first on top of a car’s radio antenna), but for the common falls experienced by all babies, the soft spot cushions and protects — making the skull function rather like a football helmet.
Every week, frantic parents rush into my office after their babies have fallen off a bed or table or highchair. It happens so quickly, babies can fall even with careful and attentive parents — it’s even happened to me, but don’t tell :^). When babies fall, they usually land head first, since their centers of gravity are in their heads (adults’ centers of gravity are in our bottoms). The head hits the floor with a terrible, ripe-melon-like “thwunk.” Thanks to the cushioning of the soft spot, most of these head injuries are quite minor. And by the way, although the spot is soft, it actually consists of a surprisingly tough fibrous membrane.
At birth, babies’ soft spots come in a very wide range of sizes. If the soft spot is small, it will usually enlarge over the first several months. Conversely, large ones tend to get smaller. By the time a baby is 2 months old, the anterior fontanel is usually about 1 and 1/4 inch across (actually one by one and a half inches), +/- 3/4 inch (Journal of Pediatrics, 80:749, 1972). A persistent, larger anterior fontanel is usually completely fine, but is sometimes associated with a variety of uncommon disorders (list adapted from Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, Saunders, 2007):
- Achondroplasia, or true dwarfism. You would already know, by size and appearance, if your son were a dwarf.
- Apert syndrome. These babies have webbed digits, broad thumbs and big toes, and characteristic faces. Again, you would already know.
- Cleidocranial dysostosis. These babies have tiny to absent collarbones, tiny chests, and abnormally shaped skulls. Again, evident before 6 months of age.
- Congenital hypothyroidism. This condition might not be picked up, if it weren’t for the newborn screening blood test. Before newborn screening, large fontanels were a common way to diagnose hypothyroidism. If your son’s screening test was normal, no worry here.
- Congenital rubella. This virus is mild in children, but devastating to unborn babies. Those who survive generally are blind, deaf, and with significant heart murmurs. These are not healthy appearing babies.
- Hallerman-Streiff syndrome. Characterized by big foreheads, tiny eyes (with cataracts), and very tiny, underdeveloped noses, these babies are usually blind from birth and remain blind despite surgery. The diagnosis is usually made shortly after a baby is born.
- Kenny-Caffey syndrome. An extremely rare inherited skeletal disorder associated with low blood calcium levels and short stature.
- Hydrocephalus, or water-on-the-brain. In hydrocephalic babies, the fontanel is kept open by the pressure and by the rapidly increasing head size. I’m glad your son’s head is growing fine.
- Hypophosphatasia. This inborn error of metabolism often is severe and lethal in newborns. There is a very mild form of the disease which can be diagnosed by x-ray (moth-eaten appearance of the bones) or blood or urine tests. These kids look like kids with rickets, and are not developmentally delayed.
- Intrauterine growth retardation. Kids who don’t grow well in the uterus (for any reason) will often have persistent large fontanels. Once again, you would already know.
- Osteogenesis imperfecta. This condition is characterized by fragile bones, hyperextensible joints, deep blue sclerae (the white part of the eyes), and unusual, translucent teeth. The diagnosis is sometimes missed in the mild forms of this disease, but it can be identified on x-ray. These babies all have multiple bone fractures, which lead to the x-rays.
- Prematurity. The soft spots in premature babies are larger than average, but there is no known problem from this.
- Pyknodysostosis. These children are short, with unusual jaws, underdeveloped or absent collarbones, and very wrinkled fingers. The diagnosis may be clinched by x-ray. Pyknodysostosis is most common in children whose parents are close relatives of each other. It has been suggested that the artist Toulouse-Lautrec had pyknodysostosis, but I don’t know anything about his parents.
- Russell-Silver syndrome. These kids have congenital short stature, asymmetric limbs, and small incurved fifth fingers. This is usually identified at birth, or shortly thereafter.
- Trisomy 13, 18, or 21. These unfortunate chromosomal problems are readily detectable at birth. I went to the grave of my niece today. It still hurts.
- Vitamin D deficient rickets. This is rare in the United States, but could happen in exclusively breast-fed babies whose mothers do not take vitamins or go outside in the sunlight, at least briefly, each week. It is more common in dark-skinned individuals. Early on, rickets can be diagnosed by x-ray. Soon it is evident in curved limbs, potbellies, and a horizontal groove between the chest and the abdomen. In many kids, if you press on the skull, you feel a ping-pong-ball-like sensation.
Alex, when your pediatrician said everything was probably fine, he was right. He is also right to be vaguely concerned that large anterior fontanels are sometimes associated with certain syndromes, some of which (like the trisomies) involve developmental delay. Now you know what these syndromes are. The serious ones have already been ruled out. Even the mild ones are very unlikely in your thriving son. I would relax and enjoy your son, who is just starting to sit. Soon he’ll be moving across the floor. For most kids, the anterior fontanelle closes not long after they get steady on their feet (at 9 to 18 months). It stays open just long enough to protect them as they stumble their way toward walking on their own. How quickly it all goes!
Alan Greene MD
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Recent Comments
Dear Doctor
My son is now 6.5 months and recently identified his front fontanel has been closed more than the other babies in his age. have left very small amount of it. So I need to know is this and very serious issue for my son and he has to go for and surgery too.
Thank you
Hello, am bihemaiso apollo from Uganda i have my baby but wasn’t born with the anterior fontanella what could be the cause
Dr. Greene. You’re awesome!
Hello,my son is 2and half years old but he can’t speak and also his fontnell is still big what should I do doctor
I babysit my friend’s 5 month old son who also has a very large soft spot. You can feel on 3 sides of it where his bones are not connected and for his age he is very behind and also hasn’t gotten any teeth in. I started watching him when he was 3 months old and he could not even lift his head up. He wouldn’t smile or laugh or make eye contact. He has just gotten to where he can roll over to his tummy but will not roll back onto his back. I’ve expressed my concerns to the mother but she doesn’t seem to think there is any problem.
Hey!
Very informative. Seems like a lot of other parents are with me in this boat.
My one year old daughter has a scary large fontanelle. Its almost 3 inches long, starting from the middle of forehead going up till the centre of the head and 2.5 inches wide.
Her doctor wanted her to have an ultrasound of the brain to check for hydrocephalus and a ct scan to check for craniosynostosis, both were thankfully ruled out.
But the soft spot in her head still scares me. She crawls fine, tries to walk by holding on to things and people.
But she doesnt have any teeth yet, is it anything related to her fontanelle? Or something to be worried about.
My granddaughter is 3 months old and we were just told her soft spot is bigger than when they previously measured. They are sending her for more tests. Can you tell me what the cause of this may be> I am not sure what it was measuring before today, but today it was measuring 40.
Is there a way to keep the anterior fontanelle open longer without invasive surgery? Our 15 month old daughter has been in an orthodic helmet for severe asymmetric brachycephaly and plagiocephaly since 5 months. She’s now in the mild to moderate range and has recently had a significant reduction in her cephalic index. We’re hoping to keep the fontanelle open as long as possible so that her head shape has a chance to continue rounding out.
Hi, my son is 29 months old and still has a soft spot at the front of his head about the width of my middle finger or a little bit bigger and 3 finger tips in length he has an appointment on Friday but I do not no what to expect have you any advise? Thanks.
Hello Dr Greene,
My son, who is now 20 months old has head circumference of 51.5 cm. Earlier, as prescribed by the pediatrician, we had undergone all kinds of tests like:
1. MRI for hydrocephalus
2. MPS Screen for genetic disorders
He has been just passing his developmental milestones. Initially, as he was not making eye-contact, we were worried and took him to developmental clinic.
However, now he is making good eye contact and interacting. He does understand most of the things but doesn’t speak more than single syllable yet.
His earlier reports show Vitamin-D as 128. However, a recent Vitamin-D test showed the level at 13.
His head gap (fontanel) is also not closed fully.
Could all these symptoms be the result of Vitamin-D deficiency?
As advised by doctor, we have started Vitamin-D supplements
We are worried as neurologists and geneticists point to incurable diseases of which, there is no history in our families.
Hi rohit Kumar how’s your son. Plz tell me. I want to know your son is now talking or not.
My son is 10 months old can now stand with support and walks holding on to furniture. His anterior fontanelle is almost closed. Should i be worried it closed too early?
Thanks i just took him to the er couldnt wait tilk the result so he got a ct scan. And verything its ok …doctors said mayve hes head is this way because he was head down on the canal ready for labor for a long time a d yes i do remember he was head down since i was 6 months pregnant…iam so happy thank you so much😄👍
Hello…my name is irma iam so worried i just notice the right part of my babys head bigger from for head to the back imean all his right part..hes turning 4months old…i took him to get x ray…but iam concerned because i notice a white spot on the picture which the technitian add light to it..is it bad iam so ancious about the result every minute feels like a year and i dont know how long to wait before pediatrician get the results
Irma,
I can’t tell you what this is, but I would suggest you contact your pediatrician and ask when the results will be in. Tell him or her how anxious you are. This will help remind them to call you as soon as the results are back.
I hope that helps.
Best, @MsGreene
Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.
Hi, my son just turned 6 months and when he went to the doctors for his check up they said they believe his soft spots have closed, they said they will be making anew appointment with a neurosurgeon to ma keeper sure everything is alright! Is this something I should be worried about and is it normal for a baby to have their soft spots close at 6 months ?
My baby girl is four days old,to my surprise she has large soft spot on her right side of her head and two usual ones on top and back of her head.
Am worried about the one on her right side of her head. Please help
We do have same problem mom Angela.. my baby boy who’s about 3 weeks old also has a large soft spot on the right side of his head.. I am worried about this.. hopefully Dr. Greene can answer our concern
My boy is 15 months old and his head is not closed. Any advice?
My son’s closed around 2.5- 3 years old. His head grew normally and he was developmentally on track so we didn’t worry about it and neither did his pediatrician. Just had baby number 2 and I’m so curious if his will take as long to close.
Good day!
My nephew is 3 years old. He has trouble speaking. His fontanel has not closed up. It is of great concern to us as he understands what is being said and replies in his own way and with his own language. He responds by calling all people mommy.
Hi,
My kid has exactly same symptoms, just wanted to know.. how is he doing now? Is he undergone any medical treatment for this?
Thanks in advance
Hi, I have niece that has exact same problem, she is non verbal, she understands everything, she is 3 and 3 months old now and she says words like mom, dad.. and few more but sometimes her responce to everything is mom… and she just recently started to mumble her own language. Her fontanel is not closed up.. they are visiting neuropediatrican- he just send them to do a lot of blood tests but he is not saying why or if this 2 is connected.. The whole family is worried… did you get any answers in a meanwhile?
My son’s fontanelle sometimes I think it bulging sometimes it’s k is normal am worried
Milly,
It’s normal for the soft spot to vary between flat, slightly in and slightly out. If it is bulging out all the time, it would be wise to have to be checked by a pediatrician.
Best,
@MsGreene
Hi my name is Stephanie. I have 3 year old daughter and 6 month old son. And my daughter was born with a type of teradactly (not sure I spelt that right) any way my daughter was born with an extra pinky toe on her foot and two extra pinky fingers one on each hand that we’re like skin tags. Apparently extra digits run in the family especially in the boys. And when I had my son he did not have extra digits but i did noticed that both his pinky fingers are curved inward. When I mentioned it to my doctor he didn’t really say anything but well that’s peculiar. I’m wondering if this should be a concern with him. He is growing fine he has been crawling for a month now, but he barely sleeps and is very fussy and cry a lot more than normal, amp most like he is in pain.
My son is 10 years old and experienced a bad head ache last night. Even after I have him pain medication, he was still in pain. He has allergies so I thought that may be the problem. He said the pain was in the top of his head. I felt his head and noticed that his soft spot did not feel fully closed. (it has been quite some time since I have bathed him so I had not noticed it)
Needless to say, I took him to the doctor the next day for his “allergies”. The doctor was not in, but the PA agreed that there was cause for concern especially because of his headache.
What are the possible outcomes here?
Any help appreciated: My 32 month old has been followed by a pediatrician for short stature (~5th percentile) and a persistent open fontanelle for the past 8 months. My son has more recently been diagnosed with high myopia (approx -7 in both eyes). I have been concerned with no testing done for the fontanelle to rule anything out. The ophthalmologist has confirmed that high myopia like this in a child this age is very unusual and usually seen in a child with a syndrome or who was premature (he was not). He is developmentally normal otherwise.
What testing is prudent here? Do you know anything that may link the short stature, persistent open fontanelle, and high myopia?
It surprised why rickets can cause both early or delayed anterior fontanel closure!
you said 2 soft spots, where is the other. My grandson has a indent, like softspot on left side of his crown. had scans, referring to childrens because pedi wasnt sure. he is 6 months , 16 lbs 27 inches, rolls over, is now sitting up independently 80% of time, laughs , smiles, but has some issues with digestion.
Thanks Doc.! This post is very useful.
Great answer!
My granddaughter was born 4 months early (her and her twin) and they are both now 7 months old. Her soft spot has closed up completely and we are looking at possible surgery if her mother would set up an appointment. My question is, what causes the soft spots to close up early?
craniosynostosis would cause there to be an absent soft spot. very important to look into! it can cause intracranial pressure, which can lead to vision problems, blindness, seizures, developmental delays, and even death in extreme cases. Premature fusion of cranial sutures also deforms the head and facial features by restricting the skulls natural growth. Most children undergo skull surgery to correct the fusion and reshape the skull, allowing the brain the room to grow and allowing the face and head to form a more natural appearance. I know this is long, but my son was born with non-syndromic cranio, so as mama will do, I researched and still research. My babe is fine as ever, and will be one year post op tomarrow actually. good luck god bless
My baby was born 9 weeks premature, She is now 12 months and developing like she was never early in the first place. She has astounded us with her abilities and skills. She is close to walking already!
Other than staying sleepy for about 4 months, and being a little smaller than a full term baby at the different stages, all has seemed normal compared to our other children.
Her soft spot however has been a concern. It grew from about the size of a quarter to the size of a silver dollar over the first 8 months. It has stayed the same for the past 4 months. Her NICU Dr. said he has never heard of one growing, but he did not seem concerned. He said it should completely close over the next year. My problem is that it grew at all. None of our other children had one so large, and none of them grew, all closed around 1 year. What would cause it to grow, and is it a concern?
Hi,
My son completed 3 months. At birth he had average fontanelle and now it has closed more than 60 percent. I am worried is this problematic for my son. He is very active. Responses to us. There is no abnormal sign as per us. Shall i visit doctor. Or it will b fine.
My son is 6 months and two weeks old. he anterior fontanelle is bulging and i he sent him for check up and the doctor said it will go back but for one week now it still there and so worried about. no fever too
Hi Ruth, im going through the same situation. Did the fontanelle go down on its own?
plz if you assist I am worried about my 2months daughter
I went post natal check up and was told that soft spot on my daughter head is small and will be referred to surgeon
But then the doc who her checkup called and state that she has spoken to the specialist and they she is fine
She weight 5.4 and head is 40cm plz advise am very worried
She is very active baby
Will appreciate you prompt reply.
Regards the
Same is with me my baby now she is 1 month old and her soft spot is small and filling too quickly. .should I be worried?
My baby is now 8month old. She has epidermoid cyst on anterior fontanelle. The doctor suggests surgery. I am really worried.
DR Green
My baby girl is five months old. She has soft anterior fontanelle, but her forehead is somewhat downwards as compared to backside. Should I worry or it will be OK after the anterior fontanelle closes?
Dr. Greene,
My grandson is 7 months old and has a soft spot on the back of his head. He went to the doctor today and they sent him for an x-ray. Apparently, he now needs a CT Scan. They were talking about may be needing to fix this and send him to a specialist. Can you please let me know what your thoughts are and if you have seen this a lot? Is this something that is common? The doctor didn’t go into any explanation pending the CT Scan and I am worried.
My sons soft spot has closed he is two months old da gp said he has to have scan is der. Cause for concern and in how many cases is it just normal. Thanks
Dear Dr Greene, my grandson is 4 months old and gp has said his ant.fontanelle is quite small . His head circumference at birth was 34.5cms and today at 4 months it is 40cms. Birth weight was 3410gm and today it is 7.4kg. He has an appointment with paediatrician at the end of month, but we can’t stop worrying. Please reply.
My 8 months baby have soft spot on head, & when he crying it pulse like breath. What I do and when it will get normal mean close.
My 6 mo. son’s Pediatrician is sending us to do a head Xray because his soft spot appears to be closed. We have stayed on top of all well checkups and this never came up. Now that this is happening I have to say ever since birth I’ve noticed my boy had an elevated furrow over his forehead, but I thought it was normal from birth. Now I am scared, and anxiously awaiting test and results. I nurse him exclusively and love drinking milk myself. Still, I haven’t been taking vitamins and now feel I may have caused this. Is that possible?
Hello can I ask what haloen now to your son is he ok?? Because my daughter has the same problem. She is becoming 6 months this month, but her fontanel is closed. I’m worried all day, but I went to the doctor who said it is ok, not a problem as of if you touch it if its moving like a heartbeat theres no problem, but i seriously worried every time I saw it. Thank you.
Dr.Green,
My daughter is 10 days old. When she was born she had a really bad cone shaped head. It had do to how long I was pushing. My concern is sense I gave birth my daughter has had this big soft lump on the left size of her head. It’s 2 inches front to back and 1 1/2 inches side to side. The nurse at the hospital said its from her hitting the bone as I was pushing her out and she said it would go away. It has not gone away nor has it gotten any smaller. My question is should I worry about this?
I do not feel the pulse on my daughter’s fontanelle. She is six months now and am worried.
Dear Dr. Greene, my son is 19 months old and his fontanel is still not closed yet. His height is also behind the average level. His mother and I are quite concerned and worry that the fontanel closure may affect his growth.
In this case, doctors back in my country China generally will give some shots of Vitamin D3 to interfere. But here in US we went to a doctor and he told us we need no worry about that at all. Dear Dr., what shall we do now? Your help is highly appreciated.
My 2 month old has a very small soft spot. It’s as small as the round tip of my index finger. I can’t say if it was like this since he was born because I don’t remember checking it. I notice it being relatively small when he had just turn 2 months.
I have other kids and theirs I remember it being much bigger. I was able to feel and see it pulse, with him I don’t.
I became concern when I had to have him seen when he developed a cough (he contracted a virus that caused bronchiolitis and he was hospitalized). His normal pediatrician wasn’t able to see him so another did. She couldn’t find his soft spot and became concerned and asked his pediatrician to take a quit look. She didn’t seem too concerned, in fact he was seen by her many times after birth and never seem concern about it, until now.
When he was hospitalized none of the doctors seem concerned about it. After he was released from hospital I was asked to have him checked by his pediatrician asap to make sure he was doing fine. That’s when she asked me to bring him in in a month (when he turns 3m).
Now I’m very scared. The anxiety is cutting my breastmilk supply and I have read many articles online, most seem scary. Now my question is, should I be this concerned? Could it be possible the size of his soft spot is normal? He has developed well, doesn’t seem to be delayed on his milestones, he makes eye contact with me, smiles at me and tries to use his vocal cord!
Please help me. Give me hope all will be fine!
Hi Carla, you wrote this message 4 years before how is your son now ? Pls tell me because I have the same problem with my baby now. She is a new born baby
My story is exactly like yours. My 1st 2 kid’s soft spots were much larger, and now my newborn’s soft spot is as big as my fingertip. I too am worried. What ended up happening with your baby??
Hello Dr Greene
My baby is 2 months and I’ve been told his soft spot has closed. He has been referred to perform surgery on him can you give me some info please
I disagree with the congenital hypothyroidism comment — only because it took 30 years for my endocrine disorder to be correctly diagnosed. I was born with the large anterior fontanelle, which extended all the way down my face, to just above my hard palette (looked like my nose was splitting in half).
This turned out to be due to in utero exposure to pesticides (endocrine interferons) — dioxin, in particular. The fontanelle has no cranial tissue above my hairline, is over 1/4″ deep and is nearly bald.
I not only have been hypothyroid my entire life (rather serious, pensive and low energy), but I also have other HPTA Axis issues — which are all suspected to be caused by the dioxin exposure. The “normal” thyroid reference range is being disputed because it suggests that everyone in the sample had optimum levels — however, at the time the reference range was established, there was a measurable portion of our population that had already been exposed to endocrine interferon pesticides in food, water, soil, etc.
I would suggest there’s nothing to worry about… UNLESS she lives anywhere near or down stream from any Dow chemical plant. If she has, I would suggest a sonogram of the thyroid to confirm if it is normal size (mine is the size of a lima bean). When I was finally put on thyroid medication (despite my TSH T4 being “normal”), I finally discovered what it felt to feel alive rather than half asleep.
A simple sonogram would have literally changed the path of my life, and could potentially prevent lost years of someone else’s.
my daughter is 42days old and still has the soft spot on top. I’m not the most gentle and careful parent in the world, so I would like to know, is small pressure on the soft spot dangerous? I worry cause I’ve bumped it a couple of times and am now a little reluctant to wear her since it’s always then that I accidentally bump her with my chin (she’s fussy most of the time after feedings, throws up easy, so holding her upright on my chest without it is tiring). what should I look out for if it happens to know if it is bad (apart from her crying from pain)? she usually only gets startled and just falls back asleep.
Hello Dr Greene,
My son is 6 months old n based on radiographs his size of anterior fontanelle is small & measures abt 5-6 mm so his doc’s says we have to do CT scan of the skull for better assessment of craniosynostosis n follow up as clinically warranted. So pls kindly give me ur opinion.
my 2 month old has a soft spot like normal but then it feels like there is a like of softness running from his soft spot to his for head is this normal or is there something wrong its nore on the right side of his head?????
My son had cranial surgery at a year old I noticed on top of his head a soft spot I’ve asked doctor said its normal second opinion please
Hi my son is 22 months and still has a very little opening but I m really worried I don’t know what should I do?????? He is normal in growth n every thing other plz plz tell me about it……
Dr green, my son is 1 and 1/2 I brushed my hand over his head to move his hair and felt his soft spot had not gone. My other kids theirs went around 1 yrs of age. Is there any concern?