What finding during a well-child visit at 6 months should be reported to the provider?

During a well-child visit at 6 months, the presence of strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, should be reported to the provider. At this age, it is expected that infants have developing visual abilities and typically their eyes should be aligned and working together. While some degree of eye misalignment can be normal at times due to the developing vision system, persistent strabismus may lead to issues such as amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” if not addressed. Early detection and intervention are crucial to ensure the child develops normal visual processing and prevents long-term vision problems.

The other options present findings that can be considered normal for a 6-month-old child. For example, a central incisor tooth may appear around this age as dental development progresses, which is typical. The presence of external cerumen is common and not a cause for concern unless it is excessive and contributing to hearing issues. An open anterior fontanel can also be expected at this age, as fontanels generally close between 9 to 18 months. These findings do not indicate immediate concern and are part of the normal growth and development monitoring during pediatric assessments.