It is well known that the human skull displays major structural and geometrical changes during childhood, most prominently during the first two years of life (1). At birth, the skull exists of isolated bones, loosely connected by fibro-elastic sutures and fontanels. During childhood, these isolated skull bones become thicker, more rigid and gradually interdigitate along the sutures, forming a rigid, strong, closed skull cap.
Finite element models of the head are used to study the biomechanics of traumatic brain injury. These models try to define brain injury tolerance by simulating stress and strain patterns using correct material properties of the brain tissue and skull. However, data on the developing skull is very scarce.