Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A closed anterior fontanelle in an infant around 6 months old generally indicates normal growth and development. In most infants, the anterior fontanelle, which is the larger soft spot located on the top of the head, typically closes between 9 to 18 months of age. If it is closed at around 6 months, this can suggest that the infant is developing within the expected range and that the closure of the fontanelle may be occurring earlier than average, but still within acceptable limits.

Closure of the anterior fontanelle earlier than the usual timeframe may sometimes raise concerns about potential issues such as craniosynostosis or other abnormal head shapes, yet a closed fontanelle at this age could still represent a normal developmental variation for that specific child. Overall, it is more indicative of progress rather than a need for immediate medical evaluation unless associated with other abnormal findings.

In contrast, concerns such as developmental delays, dehydration, or the need for a thorough medical evaluation would generally be accompanied by other clinical indicators, such as changes in weight, feeding patterns, or the child’s overall development, rather than simply the status of the fontanelle.