Fontanelles - bulging

Alternative names:

bulging fontanels; soft spot - bulging

Home care:

If the fontanel returns to normal appearance when the child is calm and head-up, it is not a truly bulging fontanel.

Call your health care provider if:

An infant with a truly bulging fontanel should be examined promptly by the pediatrician.

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 bulging fontanelle in detail may include:

• quality
• Does the "soft spot" return to normal appearance when the infant is calm or head-up?
• time pattern
• Does it bulge all the time or does it come and go?
• When did you first notice this?
• location
• Which fontanel(s) bulge (top of the head, back of the head, or other)?
• Are all the fontanels bulging?
• other
• What other symptoms are also present (such as fever, irritability, lethargy)?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed are:

• head X-ray
• CT scan of the head
• possible lumbar puncture

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