Anterior Fontanelle Sunken

This is the one called the soft spot.

Anterior fontanelle sunken. A noticeably sunken fontanelle is a sign that the infant does not have enough fluid in their body. You want them to be open but not sunken in. The top or anterior fontanelle starts to close at 6 months and will usually be completely fused together between 19 and 24 months.

Like the sutures fontanelles harden over time and become closed solid bony areas. The fontanelle in the back of the head posterior fontanelle most often closes by the time an infant is 1 or 2 months old. If you notice at home that your baby s fontanelle s are sunken you need to contact the doctor.

The anterior fontanelle normally appears flat and firm. The fontanelle at the top of the head anterior fontanelle most often closes within 7 to 19 months. What is a sunken fontanel.

These are more commonly known as soft spots. Usually only the anterior fontanel which is on the top of the head toward the front can be seen and felt. They provide the skull with the flexibility needed to pass through the birth canal.

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. The fontanelles should feel firm and should curve inward slightly to the touch. The smaller posterior fontanelle fuses together completely by 2 to 3 months.

How is sunken fontanelle in baby diagnosed. Some baby s fontanels always appear slightly sunken even when they are well. A baby is born with several fontanels.