Sunken or Swollen Soft Spot Care Options

Brandon Larsen
Oct 27, 2024
5 min read

Symptoms:

Sunken Soft Spot (Fontanelle):
- Depressed or Sunken Appearance: A noticeable indentation in the baby’s fontanelle (the soft spot on top of the head). This is usually a sign of dehydration.
- Dry Mouth and Decreased Urine Output: Dehydration often accompanies a sunken fontanelle and may cause dry lips, mouth, and fewer wet diapers.
- Lethargy: A baby with dehydration may be more sleepy or less responsive than usual.
Swollen Soft Spot:
- Bulging Appearance: A raised or swollen area over the baby’s fontanelle, which may be accompanied by other symptoms like irritability or vomiting. This can signal increased pressure in the brain, possibly due to infection or injury.
- Fever and Vomiting: Swelling of the soft spot can be associated with fever or vomiting, especially if an infection like meningitis is present.
- Drowsiness or Irritability: The baby may seem unusually fussy, drowsy, or unresponsive.

Common Causes:

Dehydration (for Sunken Soft Spot):
- Fluid Loss: This can occur from diarrhea, vomiting, or inadequate fluid intake, leading to a sunken fontanelle.
Increased Pressure in the Brain (for Swollen Soft Spot):
- Meningitis or Encephalitis: Infections that cause inflammation of the brain or its surrounding tissues can lead to a swollen soft spot.
- Hydrocephalus: A buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain can cause swelling of the soft spot.
- Head Injury: Trauma to the baby’s head could cause increased intracranial pressure and swelling.

Self-Care Options:

Hydration for Dehydration: If you notice a sunken soft spot, encourage breastfeeding or bottle-feeding to ensure the baby gets enough fluids. In cases of vomiting or diarrhea, oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte) may be helpful.
Monitor Behavior and Symptoms: If the soft spot appears swollen but the baby is otherwise behaving normally and doesn't have a fever or vomiting, continue to monitor for any changes in behavior or appearance. Swelling may sometimes be normal due to crying or straining.

When to Bring in a Medical Professional:

Immediate Medical Attention for Swollen Soft Spot: A swollen fontanelle can indicate a serious condition like meningitis or hydrocephalus. Seek emergency medical care if you notice swelling, especially if accompanied by fever, vomiting, or lethargy.
Dehydration Management: If your baby’s soft spot appears sunken and they are not taking fluids, or they seem lethargic, consult your pediatrician immediately to prevent severe dehydration.

Telehealth Options:

Telehealth can be a convenient way to start an evaluation, especially if you're unsure of the severity of the issue. Here are some providers offering remote consultations:

Teladoc Health
Teladoc connects parents with board-certified pediatricians who can assess your baby's symptoms and guide you on whether to seek in-person care or offer home care tips for dehydration.
Amwell
Amwell provides consultations with pediatricians who can help evaluate symptoms related to dehydration or swelling and recommend next steps.
PlushCare
PlushCare offers virtual visits with pediatricians who can evaluate concerns like a sunken or swollen soft spot and provide advice on whether urgent care or emergency treatment is necessary.
MDLIVE
MDLIVE allows you to speak with pediatricians on-demand for a quick assessment of your baby’s condition and advice on next steps, including whether to visit a healthcare facility.

Finding Cost-Effective In-Person Care:

If you need in-person evaluation for a sunken or swollen soft spot, here are options and estimated costs:

Insurance Provider Directory: Use your insurance’s network to find in-network pediatricians or urgent care facilities.
Online Directories: Services like Zocdoc or Healthgrades allow you to search for pediatricians who can assess dehydration or signs of infection.
Price Comparison Tools: Websites like Fair Health Consumer or Turquoise Health allow you to compare pricing for pediatric visits or emergency care.

In-Person Care Options and Estimated Costs:

Pediatrician Visit (Non-emergency): For a sunken soft spot due to mild dehydration, a pediatrician can evaluate and recommend treatment options, such as fluid replacement.
Cost: $100 - $250 per visit, depending on location and insurance coverage.
Urgent Care Center (Dehydration or Mild Swelling): Urgent care is a good option for non-life-threatening concerns like dehydration or mild swelling. They may offer IV fluids if needed.
Cost: $75 - $150 per visit, plus potential costs for procedures like IV administration ($200 - $500).
Emergency Room Visit (Severe Swelling or Signs of Infection): If the baby has a swollen soft spot with concerning symptoms like fever, vomiting, or lethargy, visit the ER for immediate evaluation, which may involve imaging tests or lumbar puncture to rule out infections like meningitis.
Cost: $1,000 - $3,000 for ER visit, depending on severity and tests performed.
Hospitalization (Infection or Hydrocephalus): If an infection like meningitis is diagnosed or there is hydrocephalus, hospitalization may be required for treatment, including IV antibiotics or surgery to relieve pressure.
Cost: $10,000 - $30,000, depending on the severity and length of stay.

Lab and Imaging Options:

Blood Tests: To check for signs of infection or dehydration, blood tests may be ordered.
Cost: $50 - $200.
Lumbar Puncture (for Meningitis): A lumbar puncture may be necessary to test for meningitis if there is a swollen soft spot and other symptoms of infection.
Cost: $1,000 - $2,000, depending on location.
Head Ultrasound or CT Scan (for Hydrocephalus): If hydrocephalus is suspected, imaging tests like a head ultrasound or CT scan may be ordered.
Cost: $200 - $1,000, depending on the imaging method and facility.

Recommended Care Pathway:

Telehealth Consultation: If you’re unsure about the severity of the symptoms, start with a telehealth consultation to receive advice on whether to seek urgent care or emergency treatment.
In-Person Care for Dehydration: If your baby’s soft spot is sunken, visit a pediatrician or urgent care center to assess dehydration and possibly receive IV fluids.
Emergency Care for Swollen Soft Spot: Seek emergency care immediately if there is a swollen soft spot with fever, vomiting, or signs of lethargy.

Found This Helpful?

Share your next steps in the comments below.

Need More Help? Schedule a Consultation with Us at Front Door Healthcare.

Let's talk! We’ll discuss your health goals and concerns. While we don’t dispense medical advice or care, we'll help you with:

Personalized Appointments - We'll guide you to the right medical providers, considering your preferences, budget, and quality of care.
Cost-Savings - Get assistance in finding affordable treatments, medications, and healthcare services without compromising your care plan.
Insurance & Billing Guidance - We’ll help you navigate insurance options, appeals, and billing questions, so you can focus on your health.

Click Here to Book a Consultation

Meet Olivia:

Olivia is a 9-month-old who developed a sunken soft spot after a bout of diarrhea and vomiting. Concerned about dehydration, her parents scheduled a telehealth visit with Teladoc Health. The pediatrician advised increasing her fluid intake and monitoring her wet diapers.

Unfortunately, Olivia’s symptoms worsened, and she became lethargic. Her parents took her to the local urgent care center, where she received IV fluids. The urgent care visit cost $150, and the IV fluids added another $200. After the treatment, Olivia quickly recovered and was back to her happy, active self within a few days.

Olivia’s total costs for treatment amounted to $400, and her parents were grateful they acted quickly to prevent further complications.