Bulging FontanellesSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Bulging Fontanelles
A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).
Soft spot - bulging; Bulging fontanelles
The skull is made up of many bones. There are 8 bones in the skull itself and 14 bones in the face area. They join together to form a solid, bony cavity that protects and supports the brain. The areas where the bones join together are called the sutures.
The bones are not joined together firmly at birth. This allows the head to change shape to help it pass through the birth canal. The sutures get minerals added to them over time and harden, firmly joining the skull bones together.
In an infant, the space where 2 sutures join forms a membrane-covered "soft spot" called a fontanelle (fontanel). The fontanelles allow for growth of the brain and skull during an infant's first year.
There are normally several fontanelles on a newborn's skull. They are located mainly at the top, back, and sides of the head. Like the sutures, fontanelles harden over time and become closed, solid bony areas.
- The fontanelle in the back of the head (posterior fontanelle) most often closes by age 1 to 2 months.
- The fontanelle at the top of the head (anterior fontanelle) most often closes within 7 to 19 months.
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly curved inward to the touch. A tense or bulging fontanelle occurs when fluid builds up in the brain or the brain swells, causing increased pressure inside the skull.
When the infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, the fontanelles may look like they are bulging. However, they should return to normal when the infant is in a calm, head-up position.
Reasons a child may have bulging fontanelles include:
- Encephalitis. Swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.
- Hydrocephalus. A buildup of fluid inside the skull.
- Increased intracranial pressure.
- Meningitis. Infection of the membranes covering the brain.
If the fontanelle returns to normal appearance when the child is calm and head-up, it is not a truly bulging fontanelle.
Immediate, emergency care is needed for any infant who has a truly bulging fontanelle, especially if it occurs along with fever or excess drowsiness.
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history, such as:
- Does the "soft spot" return to normal appearance when the infant is calm or head-up?
- Does it bulge all the time or does it come and go?
- When did you first notice this?
- Which fontanelles bulge (top of the head, back of the head, or other)?
- Are all the fontanelles bulging?
- What other symptoms are present (such as fever, irritability, or lethargy)?
Diagnostic tests that may be done are:
- CT scan of the head
- MRI scan of the head
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
Tower Health Medical Group Neurosurgery - West Reading
John Kelleher is a Neurosurgery provider practicing medicine in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kelleher is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bulging Fontanelles. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Spinal Stenosis, Cervical Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, Microdiscectomy, and Herniated Disc Surgery. Dr. Kelleher is board certified in American Board Of Neurological Surgery.
Dr. Levi is a tenured Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Miami MILLER School of Medicine. He has a very busy clinical practice that focuses on complex spinal cord, spine and peripheral nerve disorders. He has been at the University of Miami for the last 30 years including completing a PhD in neurosciences. He graduated from the University of Ottawa medical school and completed his residency at the University of Toronto, as well as a spine fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. He has served as national director of the AANS Oral Board course for the last 16 years. He is an elected member of two of our most prestigious neurosurgical societies – the American Academy of Neurosurgery and the Senior Society of Neurological surgeons. His clinical research interests have focused on developing cellular transplantation strategies to repair injuries within both the human central and peripheral nervous system. His current research interests involve serving as (1) PI on intravascular hypothermia after human cervical spinal cord injury (2) PI on the clinical development and characterization of the use of autologous human Schwann cells for peripheral nerve injuries with a lengthy gap. Dr. Levi has authored over 225 peer-reviewed publications, 50 textbook chapters and 3 books. He is an active NIH and DOD investigator. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurosurgery. He serves as a reviewer for several journals in neurosurgery and neuroscience. Dr. Levi is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bulging Fontanelles. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Meningocele, Cervical Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, Laminectomy, and Spinal Fusion. Dr. Levi is currently accepting new patients.
Zulfiqar Bhutta practices practicing medicine in Karachi, Pakistan. Mr. Bhutta is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Bulging Fontanelles. He is also highly rated in 32 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Malnutrition, Diarrhea, Eclampsia, and Typhoid Fever.
Published Date: January 17, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Parga-Belinkie JJ. The newborn infant. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 115.
Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 88.
Schnapp BH, Jewell C. Central nervous system infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 95.