Question
The front fontanelle of my child is a bit swollen. The book says it’s intracranial hypertension, but the baby doesn’t have any abnormal reactions. What should we do?
Answer
The front fontanelle of a baby may appear slightly bulging when lying flat, and this can also occur during crying, straining, coughing, or fever, which are normal conditions. However, if a baby experiences oxygen deprivation or asphyxia leading to brain edema, the front fontanelle may also protrude. Additionally, a sunken front fontanelle in a baby could be due to dehydration within the body, such as after diarrhea or vomiting without timely fluid replacement, or due to the use of large doses of diuretics. In such cases, you should promptly provide fluid supplementation to the baby to avoid electrolyte imbalances and other phenomena. If you have concerns or questions, it is recommended to consult a doctor for further examination and assessment.