Delayed closure of the anterior fontanelle in Iron Age children from Zaghunluq, northwestern China

Delayed closure of the anterior fontanelle is often associated with various disorders. However, the phenomenon might be a normal variation. In this study, the anterior fontanelle was investigated in children from the Iron Age Zaghunluq cemetery in Xinjiang, northwestern China. Age at death was estimated by tooth development/eruption in the children. The anterior fontanelle was visually assessed for delayed fusion. Three out of nine children aged between 3-6 years old from the cemetery had signs of open anterior fontanelle. However, there were no signs of craniofacial pathology or developmental disruption. Delayed closure of the anterior fontanelle might have been a norm in the Iron Age Zaghunluq population. However, it is impossible to determine the reasons behind the high prevalence of delayed AF closure at Zaghunluq. Additional studies are warranted to determine whether this phenomenon is population specific, or diet specific, or just an individual variation.

Anterior fontanelle · Fontanelle · Population · Cleft Lip and Palate Research · Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments · Dental Trauma and Treatments · Medicine · Surgery