Fontanelles - sunken

Alternative names:

soft spot - sunken; sunken fontanelles

Call your health care provider if:

• you notice that your baby has sunken fontanelles.

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:

• time pattern
• When did you first notice that the fontanelle looked sunken?
• quality
• How bad is it? How would you describe it?
• location
• Which "soft spots" are affected?
• other
• 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?

Note: This finding is usually discovered by the health care provider, and the parents may or may not have been aware of its presence.

Diagnostic tests may include:

• blood tests such as CBC, blood chemistries, and urinalysis
• an assessment of the nutritional status

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to sunken fontanelles to your personal medical record.