Fontanelles - bulging
Alternative Names
Soft spot - bulging; Bulging fontanellesHome Care
If the fontanelle returns to normal appearance when the child is calm and head-up, it is not a truly bulging fontanelle.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Immediate, emergency care is needed for any infant who has a truly bulging fontanelle, especially if it occurs along with fever or excess drowsiness.
The health care provider perform a physical examination and ask questions about the child's medical history, such as:
- Does the "soft spot" return to normal appearance when the infant is calm or head-up?
- Does it bulge all the time or does it come and go?
- When did you first notice this?
- Which fontanelles bulge (top of the head, back of the head, or other)?
- Are all the fontanelles bulging?
- What other symptoms are present (such as fever, irritability, lethargy)?
Diagnostic tests that may be done are:
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