Fontanelles - sunken

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skull of a newborn

Sunken fontanelles (superior view)

Overview

Treatment

Fontanelles - sunken

Alternative Names:

Sunken fontanelles; Soft spot - sunken

Call your health care provider if:

A sunken fontanelle CAN BE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY and should be evaluated promptly by a physician.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting sunken fontanelles in detail may include:

When did you first notice that the fontanelle looked sunken?
How severe is it? How would you describe it?
Which "soft spots" are affected?
What other symptoms are also present?
Has the baby been ill, especially with vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating?
Is the skin turgor poor?
Is the baby thirsty?
Is the baby alert?
Are the eyes dry?
Is the mouth moist?

Diagnostic tests may include:

Blood tests such as CBC, blood chemistries, and urinalysis
An assessment of the nutritional status

Treatment may include referral to a facility that can provide intravenous (IV) fluids if the sunken fontanelle is associated with dehydration.

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to sunken fontanelles to your personal medical record.

Review Date: 10/27/2005
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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