Sunken Fontanelle Newborn

But if the soft spot is significantly sunken it s usually a sign that your baby is dehydrated and needs to be given fluids immediately.

Sunken fontanelle newborn. You want them to be open but not sunken in. A newborn s head is small but it grows quickly over the first two years of life. It may occur if your child is.

Some baby s fontanelles may become enlarged if the child is vomiting or has a bug but it is still a good idea to check with a medical professional. Some baby s fontanels always appear slightly sunken even when they are well. 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.

The fontanelles should feel firm and should curve inward slightly to the touch. When your new baby goes in for each check up the doctor will check the fontanelle s to make sure they are okay. Recinos explains what changes in the fontanelle can tell you about your infant s health.

These are more commonly known as soft spots. 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. A baby is born with several fontanels.

The fontanelle at the top of the head anterior fontanelle most often closes within 7 to 19 months. A sunken fontanel when accompanied by other symptoms can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition. The spaces between the skull bones leave room for the rapid expansion of the brain and head.

Bulging or sunken fontanel. They provide the skull with the flexibility needed to pass through the birth canal. What is a sunken fontanel.