Is Craniotabes a Pathognomonic Sign of Rickets in 3-month-old Infants?

Fifty-eight well Black infants between the ages of 10 and 15 weeks were examined for the presence of craniotabes and investigated for the presence of vitamin D deficiency and rickets. Thirty-five infants were found to have craniotabes and 5 of these had radiological evidence of rickets. No difference in dietary history, birth weight, weight gain, length or skull circumference was found between those with and those without craniotabes. Significantly more females than males had craniotabes. The majority of infants with craniotabes had normal biochemical values. Craniotabes is a common finding in 3-month-old infants and is of no help in diagnosing rickets in this age group.