Fontanelle Newborn Assessment
The sphenoid fontanelle is found on the side of the baby s head a short distance behind the eye and the mastoid fontanelle is located behind the baby s ear.
Fontanelle newborn assessment. A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration while a bulging fontanelle indicates raised intracranial pressure but can be non pathological vomiting crying coughing so assess when baby settled. In an infant the space where 2 sutures join forms a membrane covered soft spot called a fontanelle fontanel. Always remember that anterior fontanelle size is very variable 1 4 7 cm in any direction and always needs to be assessed in context of baby s head circumference.
There are normally several fontanelles on a newborn s skull. The fontanelles allow for growth of the brain and skull during an infant s first year. Obtain anteroposterior diameter ap obtain transverse diameter t size ap t 2.
Junction of coronal suture and sagittal suture. This module focuses on assessment of the newborn infant. Fontanels in the newborn skull.
8 9 craniosynostosis limits growth of the. A fontanelle or fontanel colloquially soft spot is an anatomical feature of the infant human skull comprising any of the soft membranous gaps sutures between the cranial bones that make up the calvaria of a fetus or an infant. The anterior area should be soft often is depressed slightly and may bulge with crying.
Fontanelles are best palpated when the newborn is quiet. The paired frontal temporal and parietal bones and the single occipital bone. Examination of a newborn s fontanels offers the physician a window into the infant s developing brain and general state of health.
When assessing the fontanelles use the flat pads of your fingers to palpate gently feel the surface of the head. Initial rapid assessment of newborn. Ensure you make note of any retraction or bulging as the normal fontanelle feels firm and flat not sunken or bulging.