Anterior fontanelle size in Arab children: standards for appropriately grown full term neonates

The anterior fontanelle (AF) size of 100 male and 100 female normal neonates, born by spontaneous vertex delivery following a normal pregnancy, was determined on the 3rd day of life, using standard methods. The mean AF size for boys was 2.92 (0.51) (range 1.04-4.4) cm and for girls 2.51 (0.74) (range 1.0-4.1) cm. The difference between the sexes is significant (P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in the head circumference between the sexes. The study establishes normal values for anterior fontanelle size for appropriately grown, full term Arab male and female infants.