#ir #peds
A fontanelle is measured as full, fl at, or
depressed
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Initial assessment revealed an illappearing,
febrile infant. While observing
the infant and beginning the physical
exam, it is important to place your hand on
the infant’s head and assess the fontanelle.
<span>A fontanelle is measured as full, fl at, or
depressed. Cup your palm on the back of
the baby’s head and then move forward.
The curve of your palm should touch the
fontanelle if it is normal. If the fontanelle
doesn’t toOriginal toplevel document
Tricking Kids into the Perfect Exam: Tips for Evaluating the Pediatric Patientking for rashes, bruises, hair
tourniquets, etc. During the exam, this
newborn was observed to have an apneic
episode. The patient was admitted for
an evaluation that ultimately revealed a
diagnosis of pertussis.
<span>Infant
Case 2: A 5-month-old male presented
with fever and fussiness. The patient
was seen fi ve days earlier with fever and
URI, diagnosed with otitis media and
discharged home with amoxicillin. Prior to
arrival, the patient had multiple episodes
of vomiting and decreased urine output.
Initial assessment revealed an illappearing,
febrile infant. While observing
the infant and beginning the physical
exam, it is important to place your hand on
the infant’s head and assess the fontanelle.
A fontanelle is measured as full, fl at, or
depressed. Cup your palm on the back of
Rose House, MD
EM/Pediatrics Resident
Indiana University
Indianapolis, IN
“In general,
when evaluating
any child,
observation is
the best initial
diagnostic tool.”
34 EMResident
the baby’s head and then move forward.
The curve of your palm should touch the
fontanelle if it is normal. If the fontanelle
doesn’t touch, it is depressed; if it pushes
your hand up, it is full.
In young infants, a bulging fontanelle may
be seen with meningitis, but meningismus
is rare before one year of age. Another
possible exam fi nding in infants with
meningitis is a paradoxical response
to consoling maneuvers like cuddling.
When a caregiver “cuddles” an infant,
the meninges are stretched and irritated
making the infant more fussy. By contrast,
the same infant will calm when laid fl at.
This infant’s fontanelle was full and
tense. Throughout the exam, the patient
was irritable and diffi cult to console. The
infant was appropriately resuscitated and
underwent a full septic work-up, revealing
pneumococcal meningitis.
Toddler
Case 3: An 18-month-old male presents
with complaint of seizure witnessed at
home 20 minutes prior to arrival.
Many pediatric patients will present to&#Summary
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