EMS Care Chapter 07 | Life Span Development | Life Span Development begins with an introduction to the subject We subsequently explore in-depth the following lessons:
Core Concepts covered :
A fontanelle, or a soft spot, is the space between the bones of an infant’s skull. This area is covered by tough membranes to protect the underlying tissues and brain.
Typically, there are two fontanelles, and they are the anterior and posterior fontanelle. The anterior fontanelle is the place where the two frontal and parietal bones meet, and this can remain soft until about 18 months to 2 years of age.
The posterior fontanelle, on the other hand, is the place where the two parietal bones meet the occipital bone.
Both these fontanelles close as the infant becomes older. And out of the two, the posterior closes earlier than the anterior.
From an EMT standpoint, a sunken fontanelle may indicate dehydration. Also, a bulging fontanelle can be a sign of ICP, provided the infant is not crying.
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