Is it normal for a 2 year old to have a soft spot?
In general, pediatricians and parents can only feel 2 soft spots at birth. Even then, we can usually only feel one spot after a baby is about a month of age. 90 % of soft spots (the anterior fontanelle) close between about 7 and 19 months of age. The soft spot is often a diamond shape.
What does it mean when a baby’s soft spot is low?
It is normal for a fontanel to form an inward curve in infants while their skull is still hardening. But in some cases, it may become sunken, and the cause may need medical treatment. A sunken fontanel, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition.
At what age does the fontanel close?
2 months
The posterior fontanelle usually closes by age 1 or 2 months. It may already be closed at birth. The anterior fontanelle usually closes sometime between 9 months and 18 months. The sutures and fontanelles are needed for the infant’s brain growth and development.
What do depressed fontanelle indicate?
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly concave to the touch. A noticeably sunken fontanelle is a sign that the infant does not have enough fluid in its body. The sutures or anatomical lines where the bony plates of the skull join together can be easily felt in the newborn infant.
What does it mean when your baby has a soft spot?
Conversely, a bulging soft spot could be an indicator of something gone wrong in your baby’s system. Even the feel of the anterior fontanelle could be a sign of your baby’s condition. If your baby’s soft spot is raised or feels more firm to the touch then pay attention.
When does the soft spot on the head close?
The soft spot aka anterior fontanelle remains open for as long as it’s needed and closes when kids get steady on their feet. Up until this point the head has been growing, reshaping, and changing to adapt to its new environment. Typically the closure happens anywhere from 9 to 18 months.
What should you do if your baby has a soft spot on the head?
What you should do: Seek medical treatment right away. Fluid buildup ( hydrocephalus) can cause rapid head growth and can make the soft spot look “full,” Dr. Recinos says. A bulging fontanelle also might signal internal bleeding or a tumor or mass causing pressure in the head.
When do you know if your soft spot is a problem?
If the soft spot stays big or doesn’t close after about a year, it is sometimes a sign of a genetic condition such as congenital hypothyroidism. What you should do: Talk to your doctor about treatment options. The bottom line?