The relationship between anterior fontanelle and head circumference in term newborns

Abstract

Aims: At birth, infants have membranous cavities called fontanelles because the angles of the skull bones have not yet formed. Its size is generally accepted as an indicator of cranial development and bone maturation. Head circumference measurement is an important marker for predicting brain development, especially in early childhood. Methods: Patients followed up in the pediatric outpatient clinic of Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital between January 2020 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Anterior fontanelle width and head circumference measurements of babies born on the day recorded in the system were recorded. Results: A total of 340 (M/F: 188/152) patients were included in the study. There was a positive correlation between fontanel width and head circumference at birth, at 1 month and at 2 months (p<0.05). There was no correlation between fontanel width and head circumference at 3,4,6, 9, 12 months (p>0.05). Conclusion: A significant relationship was found between anterior fontanelle width and head circumference in the first months of life. It is considered to be taken into consideration in the follow-up of healthy children. However, further studies are needed in this context and our study will contribute to future studies.