Which statement about fontanel closures is false?

Which statement about fontanel closures is false?

• A. The anterior fontanel typically closes by 18 months.
• B. The posterior fontanel typically closes by 2 months.
• C. The anterior fontanel closes before the posterior fontanel.
• D. The posterior fontanel closes after 3 months.

Answer: (D)

Fontanel closures reflect the order and timing of skull bone growth in infancy. The posterior fontanel closes earlier than the anterior one: it’s typically closed by about two months (often 6–8 weeks), while the anterior fontanel remains open much longer, usually closing around 18 months (some sources extend up to 24 months). So, the claim that the anterior fontanel closes before the posterior is not accurate; the anterior actually closes after the posterior. The statement that the posterior fontanel closes by about two months is consistent with common timelines, and the notion that the posterior closes after three months would be outside the usual window (closure is generally by around two to three months). The statement about the anterior fontanel closing by 18 months aligns with standard expectations.

Fontanel closures reflect the order and timing of skull bone growth in infancy. The posterior fontanel closes earlier than the anterior one: it’s typically closed by about two months (often 6–8 weeks), while the anterior fontanel remains open much longer, usually closing around 18 months (some sources extend up to 24 months).

So, the claim that the anterior fontanel closes before the posterior is not accurate; the anterior actually closes after the posterior. The statement that the posterior fontanel closes by about two months is consistent with common timelines, and the notion that the posterior closes after three months would be outside the usual window (closure is generally by around two to three months). The statement about the anterior fontanel closing by 18 months aligns with standard expectations.