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Anterior fontanelle closure and size in full-term children based on head computed tomography
Jonathan Pindrik1, Xiaobu Ye1, Boram Grace Ji2
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Insights
This study establishes normal ranges for anterior fontanelle closure (AFC) and surface area (SA) in infants. Findings indicate significant variability in AFC timing and SA, suggesting many variations are normal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Imaging
- Cranial Development
- Radiology
Background:
- Normative data for anterior fontanelle closure (AFC) and surface area (SA) in healthy infants are crucial for clinical assessment.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively detailed these parameters across early infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish radiographically acquired normative ranges for anterior fontanelle closure (AFC) and anterior fontanelle surface area (SA) in healthy, full-term infants.
- To provide reference charts for AFC frequency and AF SA as a function of age.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of high-resolution head CT scans from 464 healthy infants aged 0-24 months.
- Analysis of anterior fontanelle dimensions to approximate surface area (SA) and determine closure (AFC) frequency.
Main Results:
- Anterior fontanelle closure (AFC) frequency increased from 16% at 10 months to 88% at 20 months, exceeding 50% by 16 months.
- Anterior fontanelle (AF) median surface area (SA) peaked at 2 months and then steadily declined.
- 3-5% of infants showed AF closure between 5 and 6 months.
Conclusions:
- This study provides age-specific reference charts for anterior fontanelle closure (AFC) and surface area (SA).
- Significant variability in AFC timing and AF size is observed, suggesting that early or delayed closure can be normal variants.
Introduction:
This study investigates radiographically acquired normative ranges of anterior fontanelle closure (AFC) and surface area (SA) in healthy full-term infants.
Methods:
High-resolution head computed tomography (CT) scans were retrospectively reviewed for AFC and AF dimensions to allow approximation of AF SA.
Results:
Between 15 and 23 head CT scans per monthly age-group (0-24 months) were reviewed, totaling 464 scans. AFC frequency increased steadily from age 10 (16%) to 20 months (88%), reaching higher than 50% at age 16 months (53%). The AF was closed in 3% to 5% of infants at 5 to 6 months. AF median SA increased from 769.3 mm(2) (age 0 months) to 1022.2 mm(2) (2 months), then declined steadily.
Conclusions:
This study provides reference charts detailing AFC frequency and AF SA as a function of age. Wide variability of AFC timing and AF size among healthy infants suggest that early or delayed AFC may represent normal variants.
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