Sunken Fontanelle Dehydrated Baby Head

Dehydration is the major cause of sunken fontanelle.

Sunken fontanelle dehydrated baby head. 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. Fontanelles allow the bones of the skull to move so the baby s head can change shape during delivery the birth canal is narrow and the movement of the bones helps the baby s head to get through. Excessive sleepiness or fussiness.

It is important to understand that babies are at much higher risk of dehydration than adults due to their small size. Hands and feet that feel cold and look splotchy. Sunken fontanels the soft spots on your baby s head wrinkled skin.

A bulging fontanelle also might signal internal bleeding or a tumor or mass. This could be a result of watery motions baby sickness. They also tend to go through water faster than adults.

The fontanelle at the top of the head anterior fontanelle most often closes within 7 to 19 months. Do not hesitate to consult a pediatrician. A newborn s head is small but it grows quickly over the first two years of life.

The fontanelles should feel firm and should curve inward slightly to the touch. What causes sunken fontanelle in baby. If the soft spot is bulging this is a sign of a serious illness known as meningitis.

If dehydration is the confirmed cause of a sunken fontanel your baby will either receive fluids by mouth if they aren t vomiting and are alert or through an intravenous iv line inserted into. Share on pinterest a baby s skull can have a soft spot which is called a fontanel. Signs your baby may be seriously dehydrated.