Anterior fontanelles close about 1 to 1.5 years after birth, and closure later than 2 years is considered delayed, suggesting developmental delay. At birth, there are two areas of the head without bone, called the anterior fontanel and the posterior fontanel. The posterior fontanel closes early, around 6 months after birth, while the anterior fontanel closes later, around 1 to 1.5 years after birth. The fontanel may appear sunken and bulging in response to changes in intracranial pressure, for example, when there is crying, fever, or meningitis, and so the examination of the fontanel is an important part of the physical examination of infants and young children. Typically, the fontanel closes between the ages of 1 and 1.5 years, and failure to close beyond this time is considered late closure of the fontanel. If the fontanel is not closed beyond 2 years of age, it is recommended that the child be seen by a pediatrician at a hospital.