Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neurodevelopmental risk evaluation of premature closure of the anterior fontanelle
Esra Sarigecili1, Khatuna Makharoblidze2, Meltem Direk Çobanogullari2
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. sarigeciliesra@gmail.com.
Insights
Children with premature anterior fontanelle closure show delayed gross motor development. This study highlights the need for neurological evaluation in these healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Premature closure of the anterior fontanelle is a condition observed in infants.
- The neurological development of healthy infants with this condition requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the neurological development of healthy children with premature anterior fontanelle closure using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II.
- To compare developmental outcomes with a control group of healthy children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 140 patients at a pediatric neurology clinic (2011-2019).
- Exclusion of infants with neurological, metabolic, or dysmorphic conditions.
- Inclusion of 66 healthy infants with premature anterior fontanelle closure and a matched control group.
- Administration of the Denver Developmental Screening Test II by a single specialist.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant developmental delays were observed in the group with premature anterior fontanelle closure (p < 0.001).
- The gross motor subtest showed the most significant retardation compared to the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to report on the gross motor development of children with premature anterior fontanelle closure.
- Infants with premature anterior fontanelle closure demonstrated significantly underdeveloped gross motor skills compared to controls.
- Pediatric neurology departments should consider evaluating these patients for developmental delays.
Purpose:
To evaluate neurological development of completely healthy children with anterior fontanelle premature closure via Denver Developmental Screening Test II and to compare the results with control group.
Method And Results:
The records of 140 patients applied to Mersin University Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic between 2011 and 2019 with the complaint of premature closure of the anterior fontanelle were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with microcephaly, craniosynostosis, infection, sequelae of hypoxia-ischemia, metabolic disorders, intracranial hemorrhage, epilepsy, endocrine problems, and dysmorphic features were excluded from the study. Sixty-six completely healthy children with anterior fontanelle premature closure were included in the study. Denver Developmental Screening Test II was performed by the same developmental specialist to the children with premature closure of the anterior fontanelle as well as to the healthy control group. For each child included in the case and the control group, 90% of the values for each development area were calculated and recorded. Then, the results were compared. Denver II Developmental Screening Test (p < 0.001) and gross motor subtest (p < 0.001) results showed statistically significant retardation in the case group compared with the control group.
Conclusions:
The study was the first study in the literature on the gross motor development of children with premature closure of anterior fontanelle, and it has been found significantly undeveloped compared with the control group, and it has been concluded that similar patients should be evaluated from this view point in pediatric neurology department.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Neurulation
01:22Sutures of the Skull
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...