Normal Fontanelle Vs Sunken Fontanelle

The fontanelles should have closed by 18 months of age.

Normal fontanelle vs sunken fontanelle. The fontanelles should feel firm and should curve inward slightly to the touch. These are more commonly known as soft spots. Signs of a sunken fontanelle or sunken soft spot.

A noticeably sunken fontanelle is a sign that the infant does not have enough fluid in their body. This article discusses about the symptoms causes diagnosis and treatment of sunken fontanelle. The anterior fontanel is the largest and most important for.

They provide the skull with the flexibility needed to pass through the birth canal. Sunken fontanelle happens when the soft spot on the baby s head is deep set than that is normal. The diagnosis of an abnormal fontanel requires an understanding of the wide variation of normal.

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 is a common problem in newborns. At birth an infant has six fontanels.

What is a sunken fontanel. A normal fontanelle is flat or very slightly sunken and can easily be felt with the fingertips. A baby is born with several fontanels.

Many new mothers are likely to panic when they feel it bulging when the baby cries as you can see below this is normal.