2014/06/11 by Jonathan Pindrik, Xiaobu Ye, Boram Grace Ji +2
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Cleft Lip and Palate Research #Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments #Tracheal and airway disorders
paper · doi:10.1177/0009922814538492
crossref issued 2014/06/11 · crossref published 2014/06/11 · crossref published-online 2014/06/11 · openalex publication_date 2014/06/11 · crossref created 2014/06/12 · crossref published-print 2014/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref deposited 2026/04/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29 · crossref indexed 2026/07/29
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.