*3.3.2 Fontanelles*

At birth, the infant will have 6 fontanelles with the anterior fontanelle being the largest [8]. The anterior fontanelle is located between the two frontal and two parietal bones of the skull. The anterior fontanelle size varies greatly between infants with an average size of 2.1 cm reported in one study [8]. The initial size of the anterior fontanelle is not a strong indicator of when it will eventually close [8]. The average time for closure is 13.8 months [8]. Craniosynostosis is associated with early fontanelle closure, but given that approximately 1% of infants have closed

#### *Primary Health Care*

fontanelles by the age of 3 months, a small fontanelle is not necessarily an indicator of an abnormality but careful reviews of head circumference can assist with knowing if a timely referral is required [8].
