What Does Non-closure Of A Posterior Fontanel In A 1 Year Old Indicate?

Brief Answer:
It requires evaluation please

Detailed Answer:
HI...usually the posterior fontanel should close before 5th month maximum. If not we need to evaluate for the causes for the same.

The evaluation needs to be done for -

Achondroplasia - a type of bone disorder
Congenital hypothyroidism
Down syndrome
Increased intracranial pressure - pressure in brain
Normal variation
Familial macrocephaly - large head
Rickets - vitamin D deficiency.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Brief Answer:
Looks like a naevus or a hemangioma

Detailed Answer:
Hi...this looks like a naevus or a capillary hemangioma. This requires evaluation especially as the posterior fontanel has not closed.

We need to looks for intracranial extension. As the posterior fontanel has not closed, the imaging of choice would be a neurosonogram or an ultra sound of the head in that region.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Brief Answer:
Whether it is closed or not can be found only by touch

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... whether the posterior fontanelle is closed or not can be found out only by touching the area. If your pediatrician has told you that it has already closed then do not worry.

What I was suggesting after seeing the image uploaded by you was that in the area of posterior fontanelle, there was a red mark which was visible. I said that it could be a capillary hemangioma...and suggested the same.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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