Bulging Fontenelle

Hi ladies, I have been away for a while but here is a quick update.  My son was born on the 8th May so he is not 4 months.  About a month ago he was admitted into hospital with bronchiolitis, and we are still trying to manage it.  As on Sunday he has had a bulging fontenelle.  I went to the childrens ward at the hospital and they said he is not sick so we should not worry.  On Mon I called his pead and she was worried but then said he does not have a temp, is not vomiting, is eating etc, so he is not sick, therefore monitor him and if he becomes sick bring him straight in.  Now it is wed, he is still not sick but his fontenelle is still bulging.  I am worried.  Please could I get some comments or advice?

[tiredbuthappy]

i would definitely take him to be checked asap. i don't want to scare you unnecessarily, but a member on the aug 09 and pregnancy 35+ recently lost her baby to a tumor- bulging fontanelle was the reason she took him to get checked. Of course, the chances of it being that are extremely rare, and it is most likely NOT the case of your little one- but i'd still get it checked for reassurance

[Jules_za]

Thanks for your comment, that has been one of my concerns.  Do you know if her baby had any other symptoms?

[jenstam]

Yes, I was going to say the same thing. Also, this can mean craniosynostosis. Please get him to see a doctor. He doesn't have to be sick to have a bulging fontanelle. This can mean other things. Let us know how this turns out. Good luck!

[mum2beagain]

Yes I agree with the others, my son has hydrocephalus and again bulging fontenelle in an infant with no other symptoms can mean this too. A CT or MRI scan can rule out this and the other conditions mentioned out.
It is normal for a baby to have a bulging fontenelle some of the time; if the are crying or pooping or sometimes if they are just lying down but if it is there all the time I would insist your doc investigates further.

Best wishes.

[Jules_za]

Thanks you for all your input.  I took him to the Pead yesterday and she said that his fontanelle even though it is protruding more than what it was in the past is still classified as normal, she does however feel that his bronchiolitis which has become worse is contributing to this.  He was put on more meds and may need to have gromits inserted.  I feel a lot better, I was devistated after reading the very sad story of the other baby.  I burst out crying and called the dr for an appointment. I don't mind looking like a fool if it sets my mind at rest.

[tiredbuthappy]

I'm so glad you got some piece of mind. I would've done the same thing- gone immediately just for reassurance. Sorry to hear his bronchiolitis is worse though :(  Guess it's a good thing you went in.

[Jules_za]

Thanks. We have been struggling with it since the end of July and see no light at the end of the tunnel.  He is such a good baby and really deserves to be well, we nebulize him 4 times a day with meds and he gets nose drops, and antihistamines and singulair (which is for asthma) I don't know what else to do.

[mum2beagain]

Ah poor baby, I'm glad he checked out okay.