What is sunken fontanelles
Sunken fontanelles, also known as a sunken or depressed fontanelle, refer to a condition in infants where the soft spots on their heads, known as fontanelles, appear to be sunken or depressed instead of being flat or slightly rounded. Fontanelles are openings between the skull bones of infants that allow the brain to grow and the skull to expand during development. There are two main fontanelles in infants: the anterior fontanelle on the top front of the skull and the posterior fontanelle on the back of the skull.
When fontanelles are sunken, it can indicate dehydration or an imbalance of fluids in the body. It is often a sign that the baby is not getting enough fluids or is losing fluids due to illness, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or insufficient fluid intake. Sunken fontanelles can also be a symptom of dehydration in older children and adults.
If fontanelles are noticeably sunken, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if accompanied by other signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, reduced urine output, lethargy, or irritability. A healthcare professional will be able to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment, which may include rehydration with fluids.