What does it mean when your childs soft spot does not close by the time he is 2?

[Guest guest]

Silas still has a soft spot. on the top of his head. i asked the ped.

and he said it must have something to do with his other delays. i have

looked on the internet but all i can find is info on when they

close....not what it means when they do not. the endrochrologist said it

could mean a thyroid problem but he already had a bunch of tests done on

that and it came back a litte high but they said it was a normal

high....just hoping someone knows?

[Guest guest]

I read somewhere that the soft spot didn't fully closed until the child

was 5 years old.

I can't remember where I read it- one of the " What to Expect " books

maybe.

Sounds to me that your doctors don't seem very concerned about this.

And I'm not saying you shouldn't be. (or that you should)

But, IF you are, maybe going and get a second/third opinion from a neuro-

developmental pediatrician.

Dawn in NJ

>

> Silas still has a soft spot. on the top of his head. i asked the ped.

> and he said it must have something to do with his other delays. i have

> looked on the internet but all i can find is info on when they

> close....not what it means when they do not. the endrochrologist said

it

> could mean a thyroid problem but he already had a bunch of tests done

on

> that and it came back a litte high but they said it was a normal

> high....just hoping someone knows?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Silas still has a soft spot. on the top of his head. i asked the

ped.

> and he said it must have something to do with his other delays. i

have

> looked on the internet but all i can find is info on when they

> close....not what it means when they do not. the endrochrologist

said it

> could mean a thyroid problem but he already had a bunch of tests

done on

> that and it came back a litte high but they said it was a normal

> high....just hoping someone knows?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

FOR SILAS' MOM

There are often several " soft spots " present at birth, but most are

so small and last for so little time, that parents are unaware of

them. But by two months, only two of these spots should be present:

The smaller is the posterior fontanel, on the back part of the top

of the head. It's usually difficult to find at two months of age and

should be completely gone (because the bones have fused) by four

months.

The anterior fontanel is the one most parents recognize as the soft

spot. It's on top of the head toward the front. Four bones come

together at this spot, but, because of their rounded corners, they

don't quite meet. This soft spot may close as early as nine months

of age or as late as two years. The average is between 12 to 14

months.

A persistent, larger anterior fontanel is usually completely fine,

but is sometimes associated with a variety of uncommon disorders

(list adapted from Textbook of Pediatrics, Saunders, 1996):

Achondroplasia, or true dwarfism. You would already know, by size

and appearance, if your son were a dwarf.

Apert syndrome. These babies have webbed digits, broad thumbs and

big toes, and characteristic faces. Again, you would already know.

Cleidocranial dysostosis. These babies have tiny to absent

collarbones, tiny chests, and abnormally shaped skulls. Again,

evident before 6 months of age.

Congenital hypothyroidism. This condition might not be picked up, if

it weren't for the newborn screening blood test. Before newborn

screening, large fontanels were a common way to diagnose

hypothyroidism. If your son's screening test was normal, no worry

here.

Congenital rubella. This virus is mild in children, but devastating

to unborn babies. Those who survive generally are blind, deaf, and

with significant heart murmurs. These are not healthy appearing

babies.

Hallerman-Streiff syndrome. Characterized by big foreheads, tiny

eyes (with cataracts), and very tiny, underdeveloped noses, these

babies are usually blind from birth and remain blind despite

surgery. The diagnosis is usually made shortly after a baby is born.

Hydrocephalus, or water-on-the-brain. In hydrocephalic babies, the

fontanel is kept open by the pressure and by the rapidly increasing

head size. Is your son's head growing fine?

Hypophosphatasia. This inborn error of metabolism often is severe

and lethal in newborns. There is a very mild form of the disease

which can be diagnosed by x-ray (moth-eaten appearance of the bones)

or blood or urine tests. These kids look like kids with rickets, and

are not developmentally delayed.

Intrauterine growth retardation. Kids who don't grow well in the

uterus (for any reason) will often have persistent large fontanels.

Once again, you would already know.

Osteogenesis imperfecta. This condition is characterized by fragile

bones, hyperextensible joints, deep blue sclerae (the white part of

the eyes), and unusual, translucent teeth. The diagnosis is

sometimes missed in the mild forms of this disease, but it can be

identified on x-ray. These babies all have multiple bone fractures,

which lead to the x-rays.

Prematurity. The soft spots in premature babies are larger than

average, but there is no known problem from this.

Pyknodysostosis. These children are short, with unusual jaws,

underdeveloped or absent collarbones, and very wrinkled fingers. The

diagnosis may be clinched by x-ray. Pynknodyostosis is most common

in children whose parents are close relatives of each other. The

artist Toulouse-Lautrec had pyknodysostosis, but I don't know

anything about his parents.

-Silver syndrome. These kids have congenital short stature,

asymmetric limbs, and small incurved fifth fingers. This is usually

identified at birth, or shortly thereafter.

Trisomy 13, 18, or 21. These unfortunate chromosomal problems are

readily detectable at birth.

Vitamin D deficient rickets. This is rare in the United States, but

could happen in exclusively breast-fed babies whose mothers do not

take vitamins or go outside in the sunlight, at least briefly, each

week. It is more common in dark-skinned individuals. Early on,

rickets can be diagnosed by x-ray. Soon it is evident in curved

limbs, potbellies, and a horizontal groove between the chest and the

abdomen. In many kids, if you press on the skull, you feel a ping-

pong-ball-like sensation.

Report ANY developmental lag to your pediatrician right away. You

can expect the pediatrician to do a complete history and physical,

including review of all the head-circumference measurements up until

this point. It's important that you bring a record of all these with

you. If the the pediatrician feels that the head growth is abnormal,

x-rays of the skull -- or more likely, a CAT scan -- of the head

will be done. This will allow for a thorough look at the bones to

assess their condition.

The fact that your child seems to be developing appropriately is

important and would tend to indicate that the soft spot is also

normal. But making sure the rest of the skull is growing normally is

just as important.

In June 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

released new growth charts. The previous infant growth charts, which

have been in use since 1977, were made by measuring a small number

of formula-fed, middle class, Caucasian children from southwestern

Ohio. The new charts are a big improvement, being based on broadly

representative national data.

http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/

all the best,

Joanne

[Guest guest]

hi, joanne

thanks for all the great info. the closest thing i see on the list is

the thyroid thing, it was slightly elevated but the ednochrnologist said

that was ok......mabye he would think differently if he knew that his

soft spot has not closed. i will have to remember to dring it up when he

goes back to the neurologist in Jan. that was alot of good

info......where did you find it is in on the internet? i would really

like to print it off. well gotta run kids are hungry....thanks again.

Dana

>

> FOR SILAS' MOM

>

>

>

> There are often several " soft spots " present at birth, but most are

> so small and last for so little time, that parents are unaware of

> them. But by two months, only two of these spots should be present:

>

> The smaller is the posterior fontanel, on the back part of the top

> of the head. It's usually difficult to find at two months of age and

> should be completely gone (because the bones have fused) by four

> months.

> The anterior fontanel is the one most parents recognize as the soft

> spot. It's on top of the head toward the front. Four bones come

> together at this spot, but, because of their rounded corners, they

> don't quite meet. This soft spot may close as early as nine months

> of age or as late as two years. The average is between 12 to 14

> months.

>

> A persistent, larger anterior fontanel is usually completely fine,

> but is sometimes associated with a variety of uncommon disorders

> (list adapted from Textbook of Pediatrics, Saunders, 1996):

>

>

> Achondroplasia, or true dwarfism. You would already know, by size

> and appearance, if your son were a dwarf.

>

> Apert syndrome. These babies have webbed digits, broad thumbs and

> big toes, and characteristic faces. Again, you would already know.

>

> Cleidocranial dysostosis. These babies have tiny to absent

> collarbones, tiny chests, and abnormally shaped skulls. Again,

> evident before 6 months of age.

>

> Congenital hypothyroidism. This condition might not be picked up, if

> it weren't for the newborn screening blood test. Before newborn

> screening, large fontanels were a common way to diagnose

> hypothyroidism. If your son's screening test was normal, no worry

> here.

>

> Congenital rubella. This virus is mild in children, but devastating

> to unborn babies. Those who survive generally are blind, deaf, and

> with significant heart murmurs. These are not healthy appearing

> babies.

>

> Hallerman-Streiff syndrome. Characterized by big foreheads, tiny

> eyes (with cataracts), and very tiny, underdeveloped noses, these

> babies are usually blind from birth and remain blind despite

> surgery. The diagnosis is usually made shortly after a baby is born.

>

> Hydrocephalus, or water-on-the-brain. In hydrocephalic babies, the

> fontanel is kept open by the pressure and by the rapidly increasing

> head size. Is your son's head growing fine?

>

> Hypophosphatasia. This inborn error of metabolism often is severe

> and lethal in newborns. There is a very mild form of the disease

> which can be diagnosed by x-ray (moth-eaten appearance of the bones)

> or blood or urine tests. These kids look like kids with rickets, and

> are not developmentally delayed.

>

> Intrauterine growth retardation. Kids who don't grow well in the

> uterus (for any reason) will often have persistent large fontanels.

> Once again, you would already know.

>

> Osteogenesis imperfecta. This condition is characterized by fragile

> bones, hyperextensible joints, deep blue sclerae (the white part of

> the eyes), and unusual, translucent teeth. The diagnosis is

> sometimes missed in the mild forms of this disease, but it can be

> identified on x-ray. These babies all have multiple bone fractures,

> which lead to the x-rays.

>

> Prematurity. The soft spots in premature babies are larger than

> average, but there is no known problem from this.

>

> Pyknodysostosis. These children are short, with unusual jaws,

> underdeveloped or absent collarbones, and very wrinkled fingers. The

> diagnosis may be clinched by x-ray. Pynknodyostosis is most common

> in children whose parents are close relatives of each other. The

> artist Toulouse-Lautrec had pyknodysostosis, but I don't know

> anything about his parents.

>

> -Silver syndrome. These kids have congenital short stature,

> asymmetric limbs, and small incurved fifth fingers. This is usually

> identified at birth, or shortly thereafter.

>

> Trisomy 13, 18, or 21. These unfortunate chromosomal problems are

> readily detectable at birth.

>

> Vitamin D deficient rickets. This is rare in the United States, but

> could happen in exclusively breast-fed babies whose mothers do not

> take vitamins or go outside in the sunlight, at least briefly, each

> week. It is more common in dark-skinned individuals. Early on,

> rickets can be diagnosed by x-ray. Soon it is evident in curved

> limbs, potbellies, and a horizontal groove between the chest and the

> abdomen. In many kids, if you press on the skull, you feel a ping-

> pong-ball-like sensation.

>

> Report ANY developmental lag to your pediatrician right away. You

> can expect the pediatrician to do a complete history and physical,

> including review of all the head-circumference measurements up until

> this point. It's important that you bring a record of all these with

> you. If the the pediatrician feels that the head growth is abnormal,

> x-rays of the skull -- or more likely, a CAT scan -- of the head

> will be done. This will allow for a thorough look at the bones to

> assess their condition.

>

> The fact that your child seems to be developing appropriately is

> important and would tend to indicate that the soft spot is also

> normal. But making sure the rest of the skull is growing normally is

> just as important.

>

> In June 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

> released new growth charts. The previous infant growth charts, which

> have been in use since 1977, were made by measuring a small number

> of formula-fed, middle class, Caucasian children from southwestern

> Ohio. The new charts are a big improvement, being based on broadly

> representative national data.

>

> http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/

>

> all the best,

> Joanne

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Silas still has a soft spot. on the top of his head. i asked the

ped.

> > and he said it must have something to do with his other delays. i

have

> > looked on the internet but all i can find is info on when they

> > close....not what it means when they do not. the endrochrologist

said

> it

> > could mean a thyroid problem but he already had a bunch of tests

done

> on

> > that and it came back a litte high but they said it was a normal

> > high....just hoping someone knows?

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

FOR SILAS' MOM

There are often several " soft spots " present at birth, but most are

so small and last for so little time, that parents are unaware of

them. But by two months, only two of these spots should be present:

The smaller is the posterior fontanel, on the back part of the top

of the head. It's usually difficult to find at two months of age and

should be completely gone (because the bones have fused) by four

months.

The anterior fontanel is the one most parents recognize as the soft

spot. It's on top of the head toward the front. Four bones come

together at this spot, but, because of their rounded corners, they

don't quite meet. This soft spot may close as early as nine months

of age or as late as two years. The average is between 12 to 14

months.

A persistent, larger anterior fontanel is usually completely fine,

but is sometimes associated with a variety of uncommon disorders

(list adapted from Textbook of Pediatrics, Saunders, 1996):

Achondroplasia, or true dwarfism. You would already know, by size

and appearance, if your son were a dwarf.

Apert syndrome. These babies have webbed digits, broad thumbs and

big toes, and characteristic faces. Again, you would already know.

Cleidocranial dysostosis. These babies have tiny to absent

collarbones, tiny chests, and abnormally shaped skulls. Again,

evident before 6 months of age.

Congenital hypothyroidism. This condition might not be picked up, if

it weren't for the newborn screening blood test. Before newborn

screening, large fontanels were a common way to diagnose

hypothyroidism. If your son's screening test was normal, no worry

here.

Congenital rubella. This virus is mild in children, but devastating

to unborn babies. Those who survive generally are blind, deaf, and

with significant heart murmurs. These are not healthy appearing

babies.

Hallerman-Streiff syndrome. Characterized by big foreheads, tiny

eyes (with cataracts), and very tiny, underdeveloped noses, these

babies are usually blind from birth and remain blind despite

surgery. The diagnosis is usually made shortly after a baby is born.

Hydrocephalus, or water-on-the-brain. In hydrocephalic babies, the

fontanel is kept open by the pressure and by the rapidly increasing

head size. Is your son's head growing fine?

Hypophosphatasia. This inborn error of metabolism often is severe

and lethal in newborns. There is a very mild form of the disease

which can be diagnosed by x-ray (moth-eaten appearance of the bones)

or blood or urine tests. These kids look like kids with rickets, and

are not developmentally delayed.

Intrauterine growth retardation. Kids who don't grow well in the

uterus (for any reason) will often have persistent large fontanels.

Once again, you would already know.

Osteogenesis imperfecta. This condition is characterized by fragile

bones, hyperextensible joints, deep blue sclerae (the white part of

the eyes), and unusual, translucent teeth. The diagnosis is

sometimes missed in the mild forms of this disease, but it can be

identified on x-ray. These babies all have multiple bone fractures,

which lead to the x-rays.

Prematurity. The soft spots in premature babies are larger than

average, but there is no known problem from this.

Pyknodysostosis. These children are short, with unusual jaws,

underdeveloped or absent collarbones, and very wrinkled fingers. The

diagnosis may be clinched by x-ray. Pynknodyostosis is most common

in children whose parents are close relatives of each other. The

artist Toulouse-Lautrec had pyknodysostosis, but I don't know

anything about his parents.

-Silver syndrome. These kids have congenital short stature,

asymmetric limbs, and small incurved fifth fingers. This is usually

identified at birth, or shortly thereafter.

Trisomy 13, 18, or 21. These unfortunate chromosomal problems are

readily detectable at birth.

Vitamin D deficient rickets. This is rare in the United States, but

could happen in exclusively breast-fed babies whose mothers do not

take vitamins or go outside in the sunlight, at least briefly, each

week. It is more common in dark-skinned individuals. Early on,

rickets can be diagnosed by x-ray. Soon it is evident in curved

limbs, potbellies, and a horizontal groove between the chest and the

abdomen. In many kids, if you press on the skull, you feel a ping-

pong-ball-like sensation.

Report ANY developmental lag to your pediatrician right away. You

can expect the pediatrician to do a complete history and physical,

including review of all the head-circumference measurements up until

this point. It's important that you bring a record of all these with

you. If the the pediatrician feels that the head growth is abnormal,

x-rays of the skull -- or more likely, a CAT scan -- of the head

will be done. This will allow for a thorough look at the bones to

assess their condition.

The fact that your child seems to be developing appropriately is

important and would tend to indicate that the soft spot is also

normal. But making sure the rest of the skull is growing normally is

just as important.

In June 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

released new growth charts. The previous infant growth charts, which

have been in use since 1977, were made by measuring a small number

of formula-fed, middle class, Caucasian children from southwestern

Ohio. The new charts are a big improvement, being based on broadly

representative national data.

http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/

all the best,

Joanne

[Guest guest]

hi, joanne

thanks for all the great info. the closest thing i see on the list is

the thyroid thing, it was slightly elevated but the ednochrnologist said

that was ok......mabye he would think differently if he knew that his

soft spot has not closed. i will have to remember to dring it up when he

goes back to the neurologist in Jan. that was alot of good

info......where did you find it is in on the internet? i would really

like to print it off. well gotta run kids are hungry....thanks again.

Dana

>

> FOR SILAS' MOM

>

>

>

> There are often several " soft spots " present at birth, but most are

> so small and last for so little time, that parents are unaware of

> them. But by two months, only two of these spots should be present:

>

> The smaller is the posterior fontanel, on the back part of the top

> of the head. It's usually difficult to find at two months of age and

> should be completely gone (because the bones have fused) by four

> months.

> The anterior fontanel is the one most parents recognize as the soft

> spot. It's on top of the head toward the front. Four bones come

> together at this spot, but, because of their rounded corners, they

> don't quite meet. This soft spot may close as early as nine months

> of age or as late as two years. The average is between 12 to 14

> months.

>

> A persistent, larger anterior fontanel is usually completely fine,

> but is sometimes associated with a variety of uncommon disorders

> (list adapted from Textbook of Pediatrics, Saunders, 1996):

>

>

> Achondroplasia, or true dwarfism. You would already know, by size

> and appearance, if your son were a dwarf.

>

> Apert syndrome. These babies have webbed digits, broad thumbs and

> big toes, and characteristic faces. Again, you would already know.

>

> Cleidocranial dysostosis. These babies have tiny to absent

> collarbones, tiny chests, and abnormally shaped skulls. Again,

> evident before 6 months of age.

>

> Congenital hypothyroidism. This condition might not be picked up, if

> it weren't for the newborn screening blood test. Before newborn

> screening, large fontanels were a common way to diagnose

> hypothyroidism. If your son's screening test was normal, no worry

> here.

>

> Congenital rubella. This virus is mild in children, but devastating

> to unborn babies. Those who survive generally are blind, deaf, and

> with significant heart murmurs. These are not healthy appearing

> babies.

>

> Hallerman-Streiff syndrome. Characterized by big foreheads, tiny

> eyes (with cataracts), and very tiny, underdeveloped noses, these

> babies are usually blind from birth and remain blind despite

> surgery. The diagnosis is usually made shortly after a baby is born.

>

> Hydrocephalus, or water-on-the-brain. In hydrocephalic babies, the

> fontanel is kept open by the pressure and by the rapidly increasing

> head size. Is your son's head growing fine?

>

> Hypophosphatasia. This inborn error of metabolism often is severe

> and lethal in newborns. There is a very mild form of the disease

> which can be diagnosed by x-ray (moth-eaten appearance of the bones)

> or blood or urine tests. These kids look like kids with rickets, and

> are not developmentally delayed.

>

> Intrauterine growth retardation. Kids who don't grow well in the

> uterus (for any reason) will often have persistent large fontanels.

> Once again, you would already know.

>

> Osteogenesis imperfecta. This condition is characterized by fragile

> bones, hyperextensible joints, deep blue sclerae (the white part of

> the eyes), and unusual, translucent teeth. The diagnosis is

> sometimes missed in the mild forms of this disease, but it can be

> identified on x-ray. These babies all have multiple bone fractures,

> which lead to the x-rays.

>

> Prematurity. The soft spots in premature babies are larger than

> average, but there is no known problem from this.

>

> Pyknodysostosis. These children are short, with unusual jaws,

> underdeveloped or absent collarbones, and very wrinkled fingers. The

> diagnosis may be clinched by x-ray. Pynknodyostosis is most common

> in children whose parents are close relatives of each other. The

> artist Toulouse-Lautrec had pyknodysostosis, but I don't know

> anything about his parents.

>

> -Silver syndrome. These kids have congenital short stature,

> asymmetric limbs, and small incurved fifth fingers. This is usually

> identified at birth, or shortly thereafter.

>

> Trisomy 13, 18, or 21. These unfortunate chromosomal problems are

> readily detectable at birth.

>

> Vitamin D deficient rickets. This is rare in the United States, but

> could happen in exclusively breast-fed babies whose mothers do not

> take vitamins or go outside in the sunlight, at least briefly, each

> week. It is more common in dark-skinned individuals. Early on,

> rickets can be diagnosed by x-ray. Soon it is evident in curved

> limbs, potbellies, and a horizontal groove between the chest and the

> abdomen. In many kids, if you press on the skull, you feel a ping-

> pong-ball-like sensation.

>

> Report ANY developmental lag to your pediatrician right away. You

> can expect the pediatrician to do a complete history and physical,

> including review of all the head-circumference measurements up until

> this point. It's important that you bring a record of all these with

> you. If the the pediatrician feels that the head growth is abnormal,

> x-rays of the skull -- or more likely, a CAT scan -- of the head

> will be done. This will allow for a thorough look at the bones to

> assess their condition.

>

> The fact that your child seems to be developing appropriately is

> important and would tend to indicate that the soft spot is also

> normal. But making sure the rest of the skull is growing normally is

> just as important.

>

> In June 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

> released new growth charts. The previous infant growth charts, which

> have been in use since 1977, were made by measuring a small number

> of formula-fed, middle class, Caucasian children from southwestern

> Ohio. The new charts are a big improvement, being based on broadly

> representative national data.

>

> http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/

>

> all the best,

> Joanne

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Silas still has a soft spot. on the top of his head. i asked the

ped.

> > and he said it must have something to do with his other delays. i

have

> > looked on the internet but all i can find is info on when they

> > close....not what it means when they do not. the endrochrologist

said

> it

> > could mean a thyroid problem but he already had a bunch of tests

done

> on

> > that and it came back a litte high but they said it was a normal

> > high....just hoping someone knows?

> >

> >

> >