Soft spots (fontanelles)
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Soft spots (fontanelles)
Babies normally are born with two soft spots (fontanelles) on their head: a large soft spot on the top and a small one on the back. The soft spots are areas where the bones of the skull have not yet grown together.
Although they are called soft spots, these areas are made of tough fiber and can be touched gently.
When a soft spot becomes hard, it is considered closed. By age 4 months, the soft spot on the back of the head has closed. By age 2 years, the soft spot on the top of the head has closed.
Bulging of a fontanelle (soft spot) is a sign of increased pressure inside the skull. This can be a serious problem and requires immediate evaluation by a health professional.
Credits
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Last Updated | August 7, 2007 |
| Last updated: | August 07, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Denele Ivins |
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