["The two fontanelles sign": A new clinical sign for quality control in fetal head position diagnosis?]

Objectives: Determine the frequency at which palpation of two fontanelles is possible, in order to describe a new clinical diagnosis approach: "the two fontanelles sign".

Materials and methods: Descriptive study established in the obstetric and gynecology department at Lyon-Sud university hospital between March and November 2013. We followed-up one thousand successive singleton deliveries in cephalic presentation after 30 weeks of gestation. Before starting expulsive efforts, the number of fontanelles perceived (1, 2 or any) was documented. If the number of fontanelles were not noted, the patient was excluded.

Results: Nine hundred and seventy-eight patients were included. In 39.3% of cases (n=384), 2 fontanelles were found, in 57.5% (n=563) only one and in 3.2% (n=31), none.

Conclusion: Both fontanelles palpation is frequently possible and enables quality control of fetal head presentation variety without ultrasound assessment. In order to prove the reliability of clinical examination, study comparing presentation ultrasonography and digital examination finding 2 fontanelles is needed.