What does a sunken anterior fontanelle mean?
The normal anterior fontanelle is located about one third of the way back on the top of your baby’s head. It curves in a bit and feels firm to the touch. A sunken fontanelle can be a sign of dehydration.
How do I know if my baby’s fontanelle is sunken?
Just follow your baby’s cues! You might notice a sunken fontanelle, or that your baby’s soft spot is more noticeable when he’s sitting up rather than lying down. This is normal and simply due to gravity. It’s normal for the anterior fontanelle to bulge slightly during crying.
What causes sunken fontanel?
There are several potential causes of sunken fontanel. Dehydration: Dehydration takes place when your body loses more fluid than you drink. The most common cause of water loss from the body is excessive sweating. Read more about dehydration here. This condition is considered a medical emergency.
What should I do if my fontanelle is sunken?
A significantly sunken fontanelle, along with other signs of dehydration (such as dry diapers), warrants a call to the doctor right away.
Is a slightly sunken fontanelle normal?
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly concave to the touch. A noticeably sunken fontanelle is a sign that the infant does not have enough fluid in its body. The sutures or anatomical lines where the bony plates of the skull join together can be easily felt in the newborn infant.
When should I worry about a sunken fontanelle?
Less often, it can appear to be concave, or sunken. It's okay if it curves inward slightly to the touch. But if the soft spot is significantly sunken, it's usually a sign that your baby is dehydrated and needs fluids immediately.
How do I know if my baby's soft spot is sunken?
A baby's soft spots should be relatively firm and curve ever so slightly inward. A soft spot with a noticeable inward curve is known as a sunken fontanel.
What does a sunken anterior Fontanel suggests?
A bulging anterior fontanel can be a result of increased intracranial pressure or intracranial and extracranial tumors, and a sunken fontanel usually is a sign of dehydration.
Why does my baby's soft spot sink in sometimes?
Sunken in soft spot This is often a sign of dehydration, she says. It may occur if your child is sick and not getting enough fluids. What you should do: See your pediatrician if the sunken appearance persists and you can't get your baby to take in more fluids.
What does normal fontanelle look like?
Your baby's fontanelles should look flat against their head. They should not look swollen and bulging or sunken down into your child's skull. When you gently run your fingers over the top of your child's head, the soft spot should feel soft and flat with a slight downward curve.
Is it normal for baby to have dent in head?
Sometimes babies are born with an indentation in their skull. These indentations can be caused by the birth process or by the way the baby was positioned in their mother's womb. If the bones in a baby's skull fuse prematurely, the baby's head may appear dented or misshapen — a condition called craniosynostosis.
When does a baby's skull fuse?
Around two years of age, a child's skull bones begin to join together because the sutures become bone. When this occurs, the suture is said to “close.” In a baby with craniosynostosis, one or more of the sutures closes too early. This can limit or slow the growth of the baby's brain.
When should I be concerned about my baby's head shape?
Let your doctor know immediately if you notice anything unusual or different about your baby's head shape, like: your baby's head shape is still misshapen 2 weeks or more after birth. a bulging or swollen spot on your baby's head. a sunken soft spot on your baby's head.
Can a baby have a sunken fontanelle and not be dehydrated?
Remember, normal fontanelle dips in a bit. It might look sunken but this doesn't necessarily mean your baby is dehydrated. If your baby doesn't have any of the above symptoms of dehydration, is nursing and feeding regularly, and having 6-8 wet nappies in a day you can be assured this is normal.
Is it normal for soft spot to sink in?
It is normal for a fontanel to form an inward curve in infants while their skull is still hardening. But in some cases, it may become sunken, and the cause may need medical treatment. A sunken fontanel, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition.
Can fontanelles reopen?
Fontanel closure that occurs as early as three months of age can be within normal limits, but careful monitoring of head circumference in such cases is essential to exclude a pathologic condition. The fontanel sometimes can be open but difficult to detect during a physical examination.
What causes a sunken fontanel?
If the cause of the sunken fontanel is malnutrition, treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause. It will typically involve increasing overall calorie intake or a specific nutrient. In some cases, it may be necessary to deliver nutrients through an IV line or a tube.
Why do baby fontanels turn sunken?
Sometimes, a baby is dehydrated but does not have a sunken fontanel. It is vital to know the signs of illness and dehydration in a baby and seek medical help, regardless of the appearance of their fontanel.
Why do infants have fontanels?
Fontanels occur naturally in infants. It is normal for a fontanel to form an inward curve in infants while their skull is still hardening. But in some cases, it may become sunken, and the cause may need medical treatment. A sunken fontanel, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition.
Why do I cry when I have sunken eyes?
no tears when crying. sunken eyes. It is also possible, though uncommon, for a sunken fontanel to be a sign of malnutrition. Malnutrition can result from a calorie deficit or an underlying condition, such as malabsorption syndrome.
Why does my baby have a soft spot on his skull?
A baby’s skull can have a soft spot, which is called a fontanel. Image credit: Nojhan, 2005. Dehydration is the primary cause of a sunken fontanel. Dehydration occurs when an infant does not have sufficient fluid in their body to maintain normal functioning. This can happen for a many reasons, including:
What is the purpose of a fontanel?
Where several sutures meet, they create a fontanel. Fontanels make the skull flexible enough for the brain to grow. When a child is born, it will have several fontanels on the skull, but the ones on the back (posterior) and top (anterior) of its head are the most well-known.
Why is my skull flexible?
One of the major causes is dehydration. The human skull is made up from several bones that are connected by tough fibrous tissue called sutures. These sutures give the skull some flexibility, allowing the head to pass through the birth canal. Where several sutures meet, they create a fontanel. Fontanels make the skull flexible enough for ...
How to tell if baby's fontanelle is sunken?
Signs of a sunken fontanelle or sunken soft spot. If baby’s fontanelle on the top of his head isn’t flat but rather dips inward, it means his fontanelle is sunken. Continue Reading Below.
How long does it take for a fontanelle to fuse?
The top (or anterior) fontanelle starts to close at 6 months and will usually be completely fused together between 19 and 24 months.
Why is my baby's face sunken?
A well-hydrated baby will have a fontanelle that is flat and firm. If your baby isn’t getting enough fluids and is dehydrated, his soft spot can start to appear sunken.
What does it mean when your baby's noggin is sunken?
All it takes is a quick check of the top of your baby’s head. If you notice a significantly sunken soft spot on top, it could be a sign that baby isn’t getting enough fluid.
Why do babies have soft spots?
Soft spots serve an additional purpose after birth: They allow for the phenomenal growth your baby’s brain is undergoing in the first year.
Where are the soft spots on a baby's head?
What is a fontanelle or soft spot? Your baby has two soft spots, or fontanelles, on his head. The larger of the two is located on the very top of the head. The second, smaller one is located toward the back of baby’s head. If you gently touch these areas, you’ll notice that they aren’t hard like the rest of baby’s head (or skull).
Can you nurse a baby with a sunken soft spot?
No need to worry if your baby’s fontanelle seems slightly indented. But if your baby has a noticeably sunken soft spot, it’s important that you give him additional fluids as soon as possible. If you’re breastfeeding, nurse more often. If you’re bottle-feeding, add in an additional few bottles.
Where is the anterior fontanelle?
The normal anterior fontanelle is located about one third of the way back on the top of your baby’s head. It curves in a bit and feels firm to the touch.
Is it normal for a baby's fontanelle to bulge?
It’s normal for the anterior fontanelle to bulge slightly during crying. If your baby has been upset and then has calmed down, it might seem as if the bulging fontanelle now appears sunken.
How to prevent fontanelle from turning sunken?
Unless there is an underlying medical condition involved, sunken fontanelle can be prevented. Ensure your baby is well-hydrated, and stick to the feeding schedule. If your baby has started consuming solids, then include nutritious foods in their diet.
Why is my fontanelle sunken?
Sometimes, the dehydration can be due to an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes insipidus, which could lead to sunken fontanelle. The symptoms of diabetes insipidus are similar to diabetes mellitus, except that the urine may not contain high sugar levels. Other symptoms include
How to tell if a baby has a sunken fontanelle?
Additional symptoms include sunken groins, buttocks, face, and thighs (5). A baby’s sunken fontanelle can be felt with the hand. It will appear soft and like a dent on the head. Along with this, if you find additional symptoms of dehydration or malnutrition, talk to your pediatrician as it could be a medical emergency.
Why is my baby's fontanelle flat?
1. Dehydration . The fontanelle of a well-hydrated baby appears flat and firm. One of the primary reasons for sunken fontanelle is dehydration. Poor feeding or loss of excess water from the body could result in dehydration. Other symptoms of dehydration include. Yellow urine. Dry mouth. Less or no wet diapers.
What causes a sunken fontanelle?
Malnutrition. Malnutrition can also cause a sunken fontanelle. If your baby shows poor weight gain and asymmetric growth, it could cause sunken fontanelle. Other signs of malnutrition include. Fatigue, Weakness. Lethargy. Dry and inelastic skin.
Where are the fontanelles located?
There are six fontanelles found on a newborn’s skull. They are located on the top, back, sides of the head, and behind the eye.
What does it mean when a baby's soft spot is sunken?
But if you find your baby’s soft spot sunken inwards and if it looks like a dent on the head, it could be a sunken fontanelle.
Considerations
The skull is made up of many bones. There are 8 bones in the skull itself and 14 bones in the face area. They join together to form a solid, bony cavity that protects and supports the brain. The areas where the bones join together are called the sutures.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
A sunken fontanelle can be a medical emergency. A health care provider should check the infant right away.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's symptoms and medical history, such as:
What should the fontanelle feel like?
Fontanelles are also called soft spots on the baby’s head. A fontanelle will feel firm but pliable. It is sometimes flat, but it is also normal for the fontanelle to be slightly concave. A pulse can also be felt if slight pressure is applied to the fontanelle. This is because of the blood flow in your baby’s head.
Can you hurt a baby by pushing on their soft spot?
A slight touch on the soft spot usually does not hurt the baby. Touching and slightly pushing on the soft spot is part of a doctor’s physical examination to check if your baby has any health concerns that warrant investigation. In the same way, you can touch your baby's soft spots when handling and taking care of your baby.
Why is my baby's head dented?
It is usual for the fontanelle to be slightly depressed, making it appear that your baby's head is dented. Sometimes the dents can also be caused by the movement of the skull bones as your baby passed through the birth canal. It is important to note that the fontanelle may have a slight curve inward because it is only covered by a membrane.
How do you know if the fontanelle is sunken?
A sunken fontanelle is a visible and noticeable inward curve in the head which is a classic sign of dehydration. Your baby may not be receiving the proper amount of water that her body needs. The most common cause of dehydration in babies and children is diarrhea and vomiting.
At what age does a baby's fontanelle close?
As the baby grows, the fontanelles close. The anterior fontanelles usually close at around 18 months on average, but some close as early as nine months. The posterior fontanelle closes after six to eight weeks.
When should I worry about a sunken fontanelle?
A sunken fontanelle is a cause for concern if it is very prominent and sunken. A sunken fontanelle is usually not an isolated finding, and there will be other signs and symptoms that accompany it. Signs of dehydration include:
How do I hydrate my newborn?
Dehydration occurs due to a lack of fluids. The use of an oral rehydrating solution is one of the ways to hydrate your baby. It contains electrolytes that are lost when your baby is vomiting or has diarrhea. For every bowel movement or vomit passed, you must give the rehydration solution to your baby in proportion to the amount lost.
How to tell if baby fontanelles are flat?
Your baby’s fontanelles should look flat against their head. They should not look swollen and bulging or sunken down into your child’s skull. When you gently run your fingers over the top of your child’s head, the soft spot should feel soft and flat with a slight downward curve.
How many fontanelles are there in a newborn?
A newborn has two fontanelles: 2. Anterior fontanelle: Located on the top of the head, this diamond-shaped fontanelle is the one that most people know as "the soft spot.". It measures about 1 to 3 centimeters at birth, but can be larger or smaller.
How do fontanelles help a baby?
Birth: By leaving space for the bones of the skull to move during delivery, the fontanelles allow your baby's head to fit through the narrow birth canal without damaging their brain. Growth: A baby's head grows more quickly over the first two years than at any other time in their life.
What is a fontanelle in a baby's head?
A fontanelle is an opening in a baby’s skull where the bones have not yet grown together. 1 Although they may seem like undeveloped areas of your baby's head, fontanelles are actually a critical part of normal infant development. They serve two important roles for your child.
What does it mean when your baby's fontanelle is bulging?
A bulging fontanelle could mean there is a buildup of fluid or swelling in the brain. These are dangerous conditions that require immediate medical treatment. 4. If you notice that your baby's soft spot feels hard or is bulging, call your pediatrician.
What are soft spots on the head called?
To understand how a baby maneuvers out of the pelvis, it's helpful to learn a bit about the fetal skull. The bones of a baby's skull are not fused. Instead, there are spaces between the bones. Suture lines on the skull indicate where these soft spots, called fontanelles, are located.
What does it mean when you have a soft spot on your face?
A soft spot that is abnormally large or does not close within the expected time frame can be a sign of certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, Down syndrome, or rickets ( a condition caused by vitamin D deficiency). 4
What are fontanelles?
Fontanelles are the soft spaces on your baby’s head where their skull bones have not yet fused together. These spaces allow for the skull bones to shift as needed during birth and for your baby’s brain to grow. They will close as your baby grows. You should keep your eye on two fontanelles:
When do fontanelles close?
Typically, fontanelles close by the time your baby is 18 months old. The posterior fontanelle usually closes first — within 2 months of birth. The anterior fontanelle closes between 7 and 18 months. If you feel your baby’s fontanelles are closing too soon or haven’t closed in 18 months, consult your pediatrician.
What does a bulging fontanelle mean?
Sometimes when a baby cries or lies down, their fontanelle will bulge above the skull bone. This is normal, as long as the fontanelle returns to its regular position when the baby sits up or stops crying.
What does a sunken fontanelle mean?
A fontanelle that is sunken into the skull can also signal certain medical issues, including:
Fontanelle considerations for babies with medical conditions
Babies born early or with certain medical conditions may have different sized fontanelles than babies born at full term. A larger fontanelle can be a sign of various medical conditions. Your baby’s NICU care team will diagnose such a condition and arrange the right care.
