Soft Spot Closed Early

[babyfettle]

Just wondering if anyone can reassure us prior to a trip to the paediatrician in the morning. We were told at DD's 8-month development check that her soft spot had already closed, so were asked to see our GP, who has referred us to a hospital paediatrician.

I'm sure it is nothing as DD is a very happy little soul most of the time, but just so DH sleeps well tonight, anyone had the same thing?

[Amanda3266]

Hi there bf,

I'll start by saying I am no expert here and this didn't happen with my one. However, I work as a health visitor and very occasionally come across a baby with a small head circumference at the 6-8 month check. These few were all referred to a paediatrician who found no problems. Apparently the time that the anterior fontanelle (soft spot) closes is very variable - before 6 months is rare and after 18 months is late. If your DD is developing normally otherwise then the chances are it's nothing to worry about - worth checking out though just to be on the safe side.
There is a condition called cranio stenosis which the baby of a friend of mine had which involved an abnormally small soft spot - but he was born with it and it was fixable with surgery - he's now a normal lively six year old.

Hope that helps a bit

Mandy

[babyfettle]

Thanks. you have reassured us, obviously we will wait to see what we find out tomorrow. I just wish our HV had told us what you have just done, as they were worrying us about regular head scans and surgery etc.

We have a friend whose baby had cranio stenosis and the subsequent surgery. She was born with a very funny shaped head, poor girl. DD has a normal shaped head and it isn't even that small - well at least she looks in proportion.

[Amanda3266]

Hi bf,

Glad that's reassured you a bit. Will just say that the babies I've dealt with have had a couple of head scans - mainly to measure growth I think - but all are developing normally.

Hope it goes well tomorrow

Mandy

[Amanda3266]

Hi bf

Hope it went well this morning

Mandy

[babyfettle]

All went very well this morning, thanks Amanda.

She had a thorough check-over by a medical student, a junior doctor and the consultant paediatrician!! Happyily smiled and "da'd" all the way through it.

Her head is slightly smaller than expected if she had followed her personal growth curve, but noone is completely average! Her weight has also dipped from her curve (tall and skinny - very lucky girl!!). Her head is smooth, with no ridges and a 'nice' shape!

Apparently, it is normal for the anterior fontenelle to close over anywhere between 6 and 18 mths, so being closed by 8 months was ok. Just wish we'd been told that earlier, then we wouldn't have spent Christmas worrying a little bit about her. But I'm glad we had the check-up, as it is better to be safe than sorry.

Anyway, the Consultant is writing to our GP, saying he is quite happy and we need no further check-ups. So all-in-all a very good outcome!

thanks for your support!

[Amanda3266]

Good news. Glad to hear it.