A child (or baby) is born with approximately 270 to 300 bones. This number is higher than in adults because many of these bones are partly made of cartilage and will fuse together as the child grows. By adulthood, the total number of bones decreases to 206 due to this fusion process
. In summary:
- At birth: about 270 to 300 bones
- In adults: 206 bones after fusion of some bones during growth
This fusion allows for growth and flexibility in infancy and childhood, especially to help the baby pass through the birth canal and to accommodate rapid growth
