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Can a bulging fontanelle be normal?

Can a bulging fontanelle be normal?

A healthy fontanelle should be firm to the touch and curve slightly inward. Sometimes, if an infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, it may appear to bulge slightly, but should return to normal when they are in a calm, upright position. If it quickly returns to normal, it is not a true bulging fontanelle.

When should I worry about a bulging fontanelle?

Changes in texture or appearance can be a sign of serious health issues. Parents should watch for soft spots that are curved outward on their baby’s head and feel very firm. This is known as a bulging fontanel and may be a sign of brain swelling or fluid buildup in the brain. A bulging fontanel is an emergency.

Is bulging fontanelles a sign of dehydration?

When you touch the fontanelle, it should feel firm with a slight inward curve. Many parents will worry about the fontanelle being ‘sunken’ (drawn in) and that this is a sign of being dehydrated (does not have enough fluid in their body).

Is it normal for a baby to have a big soft spot?

It is normal for infants to have these soft spots, which can be seen and felt on the top and back of the head. Fontanelles that are abnormally large may indicate a medical condition. A wide fontanelle occurs when the fontanelle is larger in size than expected for the age of the baby.

How can I tell if my baby’s fontanel is bulging?

A bulging fontanel means that the soft spot looks bigger than usual. The normally soft area may swell up taller than the rest of the skull. The baby’s head may appear to change shape, or the soft spot might look misshapen. Sometimes, the baby’s whole head looks bigger.

How do you know if your fontanelle is bulging?

The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly curved inward to the touch. A tense or bulging fontanelle occurs when fluid builds up in the brain or the brain swells, causing increased pressure inside the skull. When the infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, the fontanelles may look like they are bulging.

What happens if fontanelle closes late?

Delayed closure of the anterior fontanelle is often associated with significant disease entities. Range of normal closure of the anterior fontanelle is 4 to 26 months. Increased intracranial pressure, hypothyroidism, and skeletal anomalies are common etiologic factors.

What does a bulging fontanelle indicate?

What happens if you push a baby’s soft spot too hard?

They allow your baby’s brain to grow larger at a fast rate over their first year of life. It’s important to avoid pressing into their soft spots, as it could cause damage to their skull or brain.

How does a bulging fontanelle feel?

What can cause bulging fontanelle?

A tense or bulging fontanelle occurs when fluid accumulates in the skull cavity or when pressure increases in the brain. Common causes are hydrocephalus or increased intracranial pressure due to illness.

How do you check a fontanelle?

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.