Determination of anterior fontanel and cranium morphology of prematüre and full term nevvborns according to age and sex, and investigation of the relation betvveen them

İn this study, vve aimed to determine the measurements of anterior fontanel and the relation betvveen cranial morphology and anterior fontanel in prematüre and full term newborns. IVe vvere studied 60 prematüre infants (Male 30, Female 30) who vvere aged betvveen 34 and 37 post menstrual vveek, and 60 full term infants (Male 30, Female 30). İn ali cases, head circumference, head length, and head vvidth vvere measured. From the corner points of anterior fontanel, transverse vvidth and sagittal length of anterior fontanel vvere measured. Average of diameter of anterior fontanel and anterior fontanel area vvere calculated in the ali cases. The measurements of cranial parameters vvere statistically significantly different betvveen prematüre and full term infants in vvhom it vvas greater than prematüre infants (p<0.001). There vvas no difterence in anterior fontanel parameters betvveen prematüre and term infants. There vvere statistically significant differences in birth vveight, length, head circumference and head length betvveen sexes in nevvborns, that it vvas larger in males than females (p<0.05). There vvere differences in sagittal length of anterior fontanel, average of diameter of anterior fontanel and anterior fontanel area betvveen sexes in prematüre infants, that it vvas larger in males than females (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation betvveen the gestational age and anterior fontanel dimensions (fontanel transverse vvidth and fontanel sagittal length) vvas found in prematüre male infants (respectively; r:0.27, r:0.43). Betvveen the measurements of cranium and anterior fontanel dimensions, significant positive correlation vvas found both of sex in prematüre infants (r: 0.67- 0.31). The average of anterior fontanel dimensions of prematüre and term nevvborn infants vvere found higher than those found in previous studies for both sexes. Knovvledge about normal variations in anterior fontanel dimensions can help in diagnosis of pathologies of cranial skeleton development.