Intracranial pressure in a child. Intracranial pressure in infants: treatment for symptoms Convex forehead in infants

In the third month of life, premature, frequently ill infants or those who are breastfed may develop rickets. The main cause of this disease is a deficiency of vitamin D in the body, which promotes the absorption of phosphorus and calcium, which is of great importance for the full functioning of the baby’s nervous system and the development of his bone tissue.

Description of the disease

This disease has three stages of development. A mild degree involves minor changes in the infant’s muscular and nervous systems. The second is characterized by moderate, but at the same time distinct deformations of the chest, skull, and limbs of the infant. It also entails minor changes in the nervous, muscular, skeletal and hematopoietic systems, some dysfunction internal organs, in infants the spleen and liver may increase in size, and anemia may occur. Severe disease is characterized by pronounced changes in the above-mentioned body systems. Due to the fact that deformation of the chest occurs, the baby is always in a state of hypoventilation. Therefore, he may experience shortness of breath, harsh breathing, accompanied by an extended exhalation. In addition, wet or dry wheezing is possible.

Often, infants experience classic rickets, caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in their body, which provokes a disorder of phosphorus-calcium metabolism. As a result, it leads to thinning and softening of bone tissue, deterioration of the functioning of internal organs and the nervous system.

As a rule, the onset and exacerbation of the disease can be observed in winter, early spring, and late autumn.

First symptoms

The first signs of rickets in infants are associated with functional changes in the nervous system. The baby becomes restless, irritable, and cries often. A baby with rickets may flinch at any loud sound or react to a sudden flash of light.

A sick child experiences excessive sweating, especially at night, and also during feeding. Even if the room is not hot and the baby is lightly dressed, his body becomes damp, and the baby’s feet and palms sweat. At the same time, the sweat itself has an unpleasant, slightly sour odor, it can irritate the skin and cause itching.

Experiencing these uncomfortable sensations, the baby begins to rub his head on the pillow, which causes the hair on the back of his head to fall out, and the child develops a rickety “bald spot.”

Rickets in infants can lead to damage to the chest and skull. On initial stages disease, the first sign of damage to the baby’s skeletal system is soft, pliable occipital, parietal, and in some cases, frontal and temporal bones, as well as the edges of the small and large fontanelles. Similar softened areas can also be found on the surface of the cranial sutures.

This disease develops quite quickly in infants, so a couple of weeks after the first signs of the disease appear, it enters the peak stage, which is called “blooming rickets.” Then there is an increase in the parietal and frontal tubercles, the baby’s head becomes square shape with a pronounced “Olympic” forehead.

A child with rickets has soft and curved ribs, a deformed and compressed chest on the sides. The appearance of a so-called rachitic hump is possible. In the future, the baby may experience all kinds of deformations of the tubular bones. At the same time, the phalanges of the fingers (“strings of pearls”) and the bones of the forearm (“rickets bracelets”) become thicker, the bones of the pelvis and lower extremities become deformed, the legs look like the letter O. If the baby is not treated in time, changes caused by rickets can progress in the second and even third year of life. In such cases, changes in the skeleton remain with him for life.

In addition to deformations of the skeletal system, a sick child experiences slower growth of teeth, failure of the lungs and heart, and disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which are often accompanied by constipation. In this case, vegetative-vascular changes may also be observed ( increased sweating, marbled skin color).

As a rule, infants with rickets lag behind their peers in development; they later begin to sit, walk, and are prone to colds, often suffer from pneumonia. Therefore, when a mother notices the first signs of this disease in her baby, she should immediately contact a pediatrician, who will select the optimal dose of vitamin D for the baby.

Prevention

In most cases, to prevent this disease, doctors prescribe vitamin D to infants. The preventive and safest dose of vitamin D is about 500 IU. It is able to meet the needs of the baby's growing body. For this, aqueous and oil solutions are used. The former are less toxic than the latter, therefore, if your baby’s doctor has prescribed a large dose of vitamin D, then it is better to give preference to them.

The most effective is vitamin D3, since it is provitamin D, which stimulates the production of vitamin D in the baby’s body.

Vitamin D as a preventative measure can be given to a child continuously over a long period of time, best from late autumn until spring. The drugs should be given to infants during meals, preferably with breakfast. If the doctor has prescribed a sufficiently high dose of vitamin for your baby, you should take short breaks between medications after each month of taking vitamin D.

But never give your baby a vitamin supplement without first consulting your doctor. As a rule, when treating a disease, vitamin D is prescribed individually for each infant, in combination with other medications. It will not hurt mothers to know that the physiological requirement for vitamin D for a full-term baby up to one year is about 400-500 IU per day.

The last time we went to see a neurologist, she said that everything was fine with us, and there was nothing to worry about, everything was fine, the child was healthy, the reaction to all vaccinations was normal. From birth we have a slightly large head; I myself am thin. The question is: I recently noticed, or so it seems to me, that she has a very pronounced convex forehead. We were told that this happens with ICP. But my daughter sleeps well, her appetite is normal, she plays, sings, dances, well, in a word, I don’t see anything wrong, but sometimes she gets nervous and capricious. Why is the forehead growing, do we need treatment again? I’m very worried, we shaved her head, maybe that’s why it seems so to me.

mirishka 12 Jul 2010

Aimka 12 Jul 2010

Are you taking any vitamins now?

mirishka 12 Jul 2010

Aimka 12 Jul 2010

I’m looking at a photo of your daughter here, it looks like her head isn’t that big, ours seems bigger..

Eralieva-Lyazzat July 12, 2010

We also took Kinder Biovital gel, vitamin D3, Calcium Kal, and now our daughter is stocking up on natural vitamins. My daughter lives with her grandparents in the fresh air in Chilika, because... I’m at work, according to them, everything is tttttt fine, I think in any case, I need to show the doctor my head, so that later I can calm down.. otherwise I feel anxious in my soul

Aimka 12 Jul 2010

And if the head (head circumference size) grows in accordance with age standards, then everything is in order. How correctly mirishka says that if your daughter sleeps peacefully and develops according to her age, then there is no need to torment yourself with unnecessary anxiety. Moreover, tomography and ultrasound did not reveal any signs of hydrocephalus - and this is one of the main reasons for the large volume of the head. Good luck!

Intracranial pressure in infants - signs and symptoms. How to determine increased ICP in newborns

Increased intracranial pressure is a complex disease that is difficult to treat and leads to many unpleasant consequences. This disease is especially dangerous and difficult to diagnose in infants, because they cannot complain of feeling unwell.

What is ICP in a child?

Intracranial pressure occurs due to too much (hypertension) or too little (hypotension) cerebrospinal fluid, which protects brain tissue from damage. It's called cerebrospinal fluid. Often this problem occurs due to prolonged oxygen starvation of brain cells. Intracranial pressure in a newborn that is slightly elevated is normal phenomenon. After some time, as a rule, it normalizes without intervention.

Congenital intracranial pressure

There are two types of ICP: congenital and acquired. Congenital intracranial pressure in infants, which is more difficult to treat, is a consequence of birth injuries and complications during pregnancy. It is not possible to say in advance whether the baby is at risk of having this disease. During examinations, there may be no prerequisites for ICP, but according to general statistics, every fifth child experiences such a pathology. Acquired intracranial pressure in an infant occurs as a consequence of encephalitis, meningitis or trauma.

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Signs of ICP in a baby

Every mother dreams of healthy child Therefore, it is important to be able to prevent the onset of the disease and notice its signs in a timely manner, because difficulty in the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid can cause a lot of inconvenience and pain to the newborn. Many new parents rejoice at the activity of their child, are touched when the baby arches or shakes his head, and do not think that these may be the first alarm bells.

Symptoms of intracranial pressure in infants:

• frequent awakenings at night;
• hyperactivity, increased excitability;
• premature breast refusal;
• excessive regurgitation, vomiting;
• involuntary movements of the eyeball;
• tremor;
• frequent crying for no reason;
• head rotation;
• strong reaction to changes in weather;
• lethargy;
• retardation in physical, psycho-emotional development;
• tilting the head back.

Veins on the head of a baby

Young mothers often get scared and complain to the doctor that veins are visible on the baby’s head. There is nothing wrong with this phenomenon, because the skin of a newborn is thinner than that of any adult, and the layer of subcutaneous fat is not yet sufficiently developed. Over time, the venous network will become less noticeable. In some cases, the veins swell and swell, which may be a sign of poor outflow of cerebrospinal fluid: you need to contact a neurologist as soon as possible so that he can prescribe an examination and the necessary tests.

A child has a large forehead

Sometimes the first sign of the presence of ICP is a high, convex forehead in an infant, which is characterized by some overhang of the skull at the back of the head. It is often confused with dropsy. If you notice a similar deviation, look at photos of children with this diagnosis and bring the violation to the attention of the pediatrician during the examination. This may be a sign of other diseases such as hydrocephalus or rickets. In any case, do not panic, but ask for an additional examination of the baby to make sure there is no danger.

Dehiscence of skull sutures in infants

A special feature of the newborn’s skull is the mobility of the bone plates. This is necessary to make it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. Sometimes a divergence of the cranial sutures in infants may occur, which returns to normal after a few months, and the fontanel heals. If this does not happen, be sure to consult with the pediatrician observing the child. He must conduct a study of the structure of the head, assess the size of the gaps between the plates and prescribe the necessary preventive measures or treatment.

Causes of intracranial pressure in children

Intracranial pressure in children under one year of age can cause many difficulties and health problems in older age. The success of treatment depends, first of all, on the timeliness of assistance provided. To identify ICP in a child, it is important to carefully observe his behavior, especially in the first 2-3 weeks of life. Sometimes it is very difficult to notice the first signs of illness.

Causes of intracranial pressure in newborns:

• hypoxia (oxygen starvation caused by entanglement of the umbilical cord or other problems);
• severe toxicosis throughout pregnancy;
• placental abruption or rapid maturation;
• difficult childbirth, birth injuries;
• careless use of medications during pregnancy;
• heredity;
• brain tumors;
• hemorrhage into the cranial cavity;
• serious birth injuries.

How does intracranial pressure manifest in infants?

Increased intracranial pressure in a child is manifested by severe anxiety, sudden mood swings and hyperactivity. If your baby often cries for no reason, think about it: perhaps this is one of the symptoms of ICP associated with headaches due to increased pressure. In addition, the baby may refuse the breast, burp frequently and profusely, turn his head and roll his eyes.

Sometimes the pressure rises temporarily, then returns to normal, so the discomfort is difficult to notice. In this case, the main symptom remains crying for no apparent reason and restless behavior, which is often attributed to colic and other problems of infancy. Remember that normally, babies under 2 months should spend most of their time asleep, crying only when experiencing discomfort due to a wet diaper or hunger. If your child wakes up more than 3 times a night, constantly cries and arches, this is a serious reason to visit the pediatrician.

How to determine intracranial pressure in a baby

Correct diagnosis of intracranial pressure in children begins with a visual examination and measurement of indicators such as head volume and fontanel size: in one year old child it should heal completely. Another important point in the examination is checking the muscle tone and reaction of the baby. In 99% of cases, these methods help to notice deviations in indicators in time and recognize the violation. For the purpose of an additional safety measure, almost every child is prescribed an ultrasound of brain tissue through the fontanel opening, and in some cases an encephalogram or tomography.

How to treat intracranial pressure in infants

Remember: treatment of intracranial pressure in children is prescribed by a neurologist only after a special ultrasound examination or tomography; symptoms alone are not enough to take medications. Only after making sure that the diagnosis is correct, children are prescribed Actovegin injections, and older children are given Glycine tablets. They improve the absorption of glucose by brain cells, and also normalize metabolism and have a positive effect on sleep.

Often the cause of ICP is hypoxia (lack of oxygen). In this case, special treatment is prescribed water procedures and sedatives. This helps improve blood circulation and oxygen saturation of the brain. As a rule, blood pressure decreases after completing a course of such treatment. IN otherwise stronger medications are prescribed.

The specialist must register the child and set a return date for a re-examination. It is often prescribed after undergoing an ophthalmologist who must conduct a fundus examination and a course baby massage necessary for the general improvement of the baby’s condition. After all the described procedures, a re-measurement of head circumference, ultrasound and visual examination are carried out. If, as a result of the examination, the doctor removes the diagnosis, your child will be registered for some time with a mandatory examination every six months.

In rare cases, an increase in the volume and accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain tissue can be serious and require surgical intervention. The operation is performed under general anesthesia; a certain amount of excess cerebrospinal fluid is removed to normalize the pressure. Postoperative rehabilitation involves taking auxiliary medications and constant monitoring by a doctor.

Video: Komarovsky on intracranial pressure

The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment based on individual characteristics specific patient.

A few words about normality and pathology. Baby at an appointment with a neurologist: the shape and size of a newborn’s skull

Your baby will soon be or has already turned 1 month old! One of the most difficult periods in a newborn’s life is behind us.

Inna Sharkova

"Guta-Clinic", Moscow, pediatric neurologist

After all, the first month of a child’s life becomes for him the first critical period after birth: it is characterized by the intense work of all organs and systems of the body “responsible” for the adaptation of the newborn to environmental conditions that are fundamentally new for him. By the end of this period, all transition processes should be completed, however, under the influence of unfavorable environmental conditions, with aggravated pregnancy and childbirth, the natural adaptation processes for a newborn can take on a pathological direction and lead to a neurological disease of the child.

It is at this time that it is necessary to visit a neurologist for the first time - usually just to make sure that everything is fine with the baby; but if this is not the case, in order to identify and “capture” the pathology at the very beginning, to prevent the disease from developing. To determine the level of development of the child and exclude neurological pathology, it is important not only to assess the formed reactions to light, sound, motor and psycho-emotional activity of the newborn, but also his appearance (in fact, it is this last topic that my article will mainly be devoted to).

So, what will the neurologist first of all pay attention to during the examination? one month old baby? On the shape and size of his skull, facial expression, posture, appearance skin. Why is this so important? Why are our worries and experiences often associated with the presence of deviations from the outside? appearance child, especially if it is a change in the shape and size of the skull? This is primarily due to the fact that such changes can be a diagnostic sign of serious diseases - hydrocephalus and microcephaly.

The shape and size of the skull is a possible pathology

Hydrocephalus- this is an excessive increase in the size of the skull and fontanelles, caused by an increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranial cavity. With this disease, the shape of the skull also changes - its cerebral part significantly predominates over the facial part, the frontal part protrudes sharply forward, and a pronounced venous network is observed in the area of ​​the temples and forehead.

Microcephaly- this is a reduction in the size of the skull and early closure of the fontanelles. With congenital microcephaly, the size of the skull is small from birth, the cranial sutures are narrowed, the fontanelles are either closed or small in size. Subsequently, a slow rate of growth in head circumference is noted, so that sometimes a 2-3 year old child’s skull size is almost the same as at birth. With microcephaly, the skull has a specific shape: the cerebral part of the skull is smaller than the facial part, the forehead is small, sloping, the line of the forehead and nose is sloping.

Conditions such as hydro- and microcephaly subsequently lead to delayed mental and physical development and therefore require correction from the very beginning. early age!

. or a reason for further examinations?

But should every deviation from the norm clearly indicate a pathological condition? Of course not! Clinical observations show that there are many factors that influence the shape and size of the head. Of course, even a slight increase or decrease in the circumference of the skull in a newborn compared to the age norm can be considered a risk factor for the development of hydrocephalus or microcephaly, but you should not panic when you discover that the baby’s head is slightly larger or smaller than normal: this circumstance should first of all, become a signal for the need for additional examinations to exclude pathological conditions. What kind of examinations are these?

• An absolutely safe and reliable method is neurosonography(ultrasound examination of the brain through the large fontanel). This study will help not only to see changes in the structure of the brain and signs of increased intracranial pressure, but also to evaluate blood flow through the main vessels of the brain.
• An even more reliable method is nuclear magnetic resonance of the brain (NMR), however, this study for children is carried out under general anesthesia, so it is carried out only for sufficiently compelling indications.
• IN in this case Consultations with an ophthalmologist and neurosurgeon are also necessary.

Homework for parents

In addition, right from birth you can independently control increase in baby's head circumference, which is one of the main indicators of normality and pathology. How to do this correctly?

• Measure the child's head circumference weekly and record the resulting numbers in a specially kept notebook.
• When measuring, place the measuring tape at the most protruding points of the skull (frontal and occipital protuberances).
• To avoid misunderstandings, the measurement must be carried out by the same person.

In addition to the increase in head circumference, you can control increase in chest circumference, which is one of the general anthropometric indicators of child development. For this:

• Measure your chest circumference weekly on the same day you measure your head circumference;
• Place the measuring tape at the level of the baby's nipple line.

Why is such “amateur activity” needed? By taking these simple measurements, you will help the doctor draw up an objective picture of the child’s development, and you yourself can have peace of mind, excluding the possibility of developing serious diseases (normally, the monthly increase in head circumference in the first three months of a full-term baby should not exceed 2 cm per month; up to a year, the circumference The chest is approximately 1 cm larger than the child’s head circumference).

Well, now a few words about what can and should be normal and what is pathological. I tried to frame the conversation on this topic in the form of answers to questions that most often concern young parents.

What determines the shape of a newborn’s skull?

Normally, as a child passes through the birth canal, the bones of the skull overlap each other. Features of the course of the birth process affect changes in the shape of the skull. In the event of a complicated birth, a sharp juxtaposition of the skull bones may occur on top of each other, and this will lead to its deformation, which will persist for quite a long time.

A change in the shape of the skull can be expressed in the preservation swelling soft tissues of the head in the place where the child moved forward along the birth canal. The swelling disappears within the first 2-3 days. Cephalohematoma(hemorrhage under the periosteum) also changes the shape of the skull. It resolves more slowly than swelling, and this process requires the supervision of specialists (neurologist, surgeon).

Changes in the shape of the skull are also associated with age characteristics. In a newborn, the skull is elongated in the anteroposterior direction, and after a few months the transverse size of the skull will increase and its shape will change.

Some change in the shape and size of the skull can also occur during normal development in premature babies, or when the child is often placed on the same side, or when the child lies on his back for a long time.

How does a newborn's head grow?

The average head circumference of a newborn is 35.5 cm (the range of 33.0-37.5 cm is considered normal). The most intensive increase in head circumference in full-term babies is observed in the first 3 months - on average, 1.5 cm for each month. Then the growth decreases slightly, and by the age of one year the child’s head circumference is on average 46.6 cm (normal limits are 44.9 - 48.9 cm).

Head circumference premature baby increases faster than that of a full-term child, and the increase is maximally expressed during the period of active weight gain, and by the end of the 1st year of life it reaches normal values. The exception is very premature babies.

However, one should always keep in mind that even with normal development of a child, there may be physiological deviations from average values, which are often associated with constitutional characteristics or environmental influences.

What is a fontanel in a child?

The fontanelles are located in the area where the bones of the skull meet. Front, big, the fontanel is located between the frontal and parietal bones. At birth, it measures from 2.5 to 3.5 cm, then gradually decreases by 6 months and closes at 8-16 months. Rear, small, the fontanel is located between the parietal and occipital bones. It is small in size and closes by 2-3 months of life.

In pathological processes accompanied by increased intracranial pressure, the fontanelles close later, and sometimes they open again. Small sizes of the anterior fontanel may be a normal variant if they are not accompanied by a decrease in the circumference of the skull, the rate of its growth and a delay in psychomotor development.

The above characteristics do not limit the diversity possible options abnormalities in a young child. However, it should be borne in mind that any unusual appearance of a child requires a thorough examination and monitoring of his growth and development.

When and how should a neurologist examine a child?

The development of a young child is a very sensitive sign of the state of the body. It depends both on hereditary characteristics and on a complex complex social conditions and requires dynamic monitoring by doctors. Don’t forget to show your baby to specialists within the prescribed time frame - 1, 3, 6, 12 months!

If you invite a specialist to your home, you must consider the following:

• the examination of the child should be carried out on a changing table or other soft, but not sagging surface;
• the environment should be calm, eliminate distractions if possible;
• It is advisable to carry out the examination 1.5-2 hours after feeding;
• the air temperature in the room should be about 25° C, the lighting should be bright, but not irritating.

In conclusion of the article, I would like to remind you once again: do not put off visiting a neurologist, remember - the timeliness of all health-improving, preventive and therapeutic measures, aimed at ensuring its normal development, and only a specialist can give a correct assessment!

Comments on the article

Hello, my daughter is 5 years old and her forehead is pulled out in front, what can I do? or is it too late?

Hello. My daughter is 8 months old, her forehead is very elongated in front, her forehead rises above her eyes. What to do and what to do

We are 9 months old, height 68cm, head circumference 45cm, chest circumference 40cm

The pediatrician says dad probably has a big head. And at the same time he says that a big difference 5cm. We are not lagging behind in development, ultrasound of the brain is normal! I'm very worried(((

Flat back of the head. My baby is 7 months old. At 3 months, I noticed a flattening of the back of the head and a slope of the skull on the left side. The pediatrician and orthopedist said that it would improve by 6 months, but there was no result. The back is crooked and flat. Vitamin D 3 take 2 drops.

Hello my daughter is 8.5 months old. the neurologist said that her head is 2 cm smaller. How scary is that?

Hello, my baby is 1 year 1 month old, from birth she has had an unusual head shape, that is, it is extended behind, looks like an egg lying down. None of my relatives noticed this. And she doesn’t walk confidently - she only walks by the hand. They did a neurosonogram 3 times at 1, 3, 9 months, except for calcified something, they didn’t find any abnormalities, and they say the device in our clinic is weak, old, and there is no money for another examination. In general, tell me, should I worry?

my boy is 6 months old. A neurologist diagnoses moderately dropped hydrocephalic syndrome! Tell me how scary is this? and what are the consequences?

thanks for the detailed description.

My baby (a girl) has the right side of his head protruding forward, that is, it is growing unevenly, what is it?

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What to do if an infant has an uneven head, how to fix it

Many young mothers are very worried if they notice that their newborn’s head is uneven. Lack of experience gives rise to fear and uncertainty: what if something is wrong with the child? However, experts are in a hurry to reassure. In most cases, an uneven head in a baby is normal. There are only a few cases where an uneven head reports problems. For example, a child may have a hematoma.

More details

Not only the mother’s body prepares for childbirth. The child also internally prepares for such a process. The baby's skull remains soft until birth. This makes it easier for the mother to pass through the narrow birth canal. This was how nature intended. This is why babies whose mothers give birth themselves have a slightly uneven or large head.

Cause: mild skull deformation: at birth flat head stretches out and takes on an uneven elongated shape. There is no pathology in this, so you can calm down. There are no special rules provided here.

At birth, a baby’s skull is always slightly deformed: even if it wasn’t like that right away, changes may appear later. However, after some time, the skull will acquire a normal shape, the asymmetry will be restored, and changes in circumference will no longer be noticeable. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much about this.

The head does not take its final shape immediately. For some, the features of the head circumference are formed only by school age.

Usually the skull becomes round and even by one year or a little later.

Changes

However, sometimes a flat head takes on a completely unnatural shape. Sometimes the reason for this is a hematoma, but the position of the child also matters. For example, a child has a very sloping head. This happens not at birth, but after childbirth: the head becomes flattened, uneven, large, and sometimes its girth does not correspond to the norm.

If the back of the baby's head is very elongated or slanted, the cause is most often incorrect position child. He can remain in a lying position for a long time, which leads to such changes. Usually in such cases, children turn and tilt their head to one side.

It is dangerous to constantly place your baby on his back. This position is not always harmless, since the baby can spit up and choke, sometimes even choke. What to do? It is recommended to place babies on their side, but change sides. This will help avoid changes and deformations of the skull.

Children always turn their heads towards something interesting: there may be a mother or a rattle. If the crib is located against a wall, the baby will only have to turn in one direction. This can also cause disturbances and deformation of the skull. A sloping nape may also appear.

The bones of the skull remain soft in the first months of life: this protects it from injury and helps brain development.

Special areas - fontanelles - are soft tissue, the cells of which are very elastic. While the fontanelles are open, the shape of the head may change. For example, it may become flat, or the back of the head may become skewed to one side. This means that the child has been lying on his back for a long time.

Violations

Many young mothers worry when they notice irregularities and irregularities in the circumference of the baby’s head. But pediatricians and doctors reassure: as soon as the child stops lying down and starts sitting up, the situation will change. This usually happens when the baby spends more time in an upright position. Already at 2-3 months the skull begins to straighten, changes in circumference disappear.

However, sometimes deformation of the circle is a sign that the asymmetry is broken. This happens for various reasons: the baby lacks vitamins, diseases appear and begin to manifest themselves. For example, rickets, which is common in children, often manifests itself this way.

If a baby has rickets, his bones do not strengthen due to lack of calcium, develop poorly, and grow poorly. The fontanelles do not overgrow, so the baby’s head remains soft for a long time, and the skull is subject to changes. Usually in such situations, doctors advise being with the baby in the fresh air more often, and also giving him vitamin D and calcium.

If the baby begins to turn his head only in one direction, his neck may be crooked. It doesn’t matter whether the child is lying down or in his arms. In this case, you should definitely contact a specialist.

A doctor’s consultation will also be required in another case: if the fontanelles quickly overgrow. Intracranial pressure may occur, leading to serious problems.

What to do in this case? An experienced doctor will immediately identify violations of the circumference and girth of the head. But it's better to spend routine examinations from a neurologist and surgeon. This will allow you to identify problems at the first stage.

A hematoma deserves special attention. It is an accumulation of blood or fluid in areas where cells rupture soft fabric. It usually happens right under the skin or near the skull. Why does a hematoma occur? If the child was large and walked heavily, he had to “pave” his way. This causes damage such as a hematoma.

A hematoma can also appear in another case: if the mother did C-section. The baby moves from one environment to another, and this happens abruptly. Tissue cells cannot immediately adapt to the new environment, which is why a hematoma forms. For a child, this phenomenon is stress. If the hematoma becomes larger than normal, this is a bad sign.

Hematoma often appears in premature babies. Sometimes it is the cause of curvature of the circumference and incorrect girth of the skull. The hematoma may resolve on its own, but medical intervention may be required. In any case, you must first conduct a diagnosis and identify the type of hematoma, especially if it is large. This is outside the norm.

How to align the head

A sloping and irregular back of the head, a flat head, a convex forehead, irregular asymmetry - all these situations are not always a cause for concern. But only a doctor can determine the cause. If the case is dangerous, they may prescribe an additional examination and collect tests. In any case, you should first consult a doctor to eliminate your own fears.

There are some things parents can do themselves:

• a beautiful, even skull can be formed by alternating sides of the bed. For example, first the headboard is on one side, then on the other. The breast and container of milk should also be served to the baby from different sides. You can put your child in different sides, change position. The norms will be respected;
• It is necessary to hold the baby in your arms more often. For the same reason, it is recommended to turn the baby onto his tummy more often. In this position, its head will not be able to bend, asymmetry will be eliminated, and the back of the head will take on the desired shape.

The recommendations presented above are sufficient if the situation is not critical. But some mothers believe that their baby’s head is crooked and try to correct it with everyone accessible ways. Don't try everything: the most effective method is massage. But influence delicate skin and soft bones of a newborn should be handled with extreme caution. This is not a massage. You just need to carefully give the skull and head the desired shape.

You can contact an orthopedist and consult with him about using an orthopedic pillow: sometimes such a thing is very useful, this is confirmed by numerous reviews.

A newborn baby often looks somewhat unusual. Oddities in his appearance or behavior worry the young mother. He talks about the characteristics of a newborn that are completely neonatologist of the Moscow Regional Neonatal Center Tatyana Nikolaevna ANDREEVA.

HEAD
The head of a newborn should be slightly larger than the volume of the chest or, in extreme cases, equal to it. If the infant's forehead protrudes strongly and the cranial vault is too large compared to the size of the face, hydrocephalus may be suspected. In the case of microcephaly, everything is exactly the opposite. Often young, inexperienced mothers mistake the usual flattening of the baby's head for microcephaly. It is characteristic of any normal child who has just been born. The shape of the head often depends on how the fetus was positioned in the mother's womb. If something scares you, or it seems to you that the baby’s head “has defects,” talk to the doctor who delivered the baby. He knows how the baby was positioned in the womb and how, accordingly, his head should look.

Now about the sizes.
The average head circumference of a healthy newborn child is 33-35 cm. In this case, the chest circumference should be 30-33 cm. Even if this ratio is not observed at birth, then already on the second day of life the child’s head should exceed the volume of the chest by 1- 3 cm. This is completely normal, and there is no need to be afraid that the baby’s head seems “too big”.

When examining the head, pay attention to the condition of the sutures and fontanelles of the baby’s skull. The sutures feel like ordinary cracks between the lobes of the skull, and the fontanelles are wide, soft areas located at the junction of the sutures.

If it seems to you that the fontanelles are too brightly colored, and the seams protrude on the surface of the head, then you can clarify this issue with your doctor. Most likely, the lobes of the skull shifted due to the “flattening” of the head during childbirth. In two or three days everything will fall into place.

LEATHER

The main indicator of the baby's condition immediately after birth is the skin. After the special natural lubricant with which the baby is born has been removed, the baby's skin appears reddish, ruddy and smooth. But by the second or third day of life, it becomes dry, scaly to the touch and pink. From the third to the seventh day, normal children's skin usually turns slightly yellow. This physiological phenomenon- jaundice of newborns, it should not frighten.

After birth, the baby may also have bluish feet and hands. This color will change after some time. In general, in the first hours of a baby’s life, you should not be afraid of blue shades; they can only cause concern after 12-24 hours. In addition to blue marks on the baby’s body, you can also find real bruises. They usually indicate a difficult birth or careless handling of the newborn. In some cases they indicate infection. Therefore, if you find bluish spots on your baby’s body, you should definitely consult a doctor. The same goes for tiny hemorrhages on the skin. If they do not go away within 24 hours, bring this to the attention of a neonatologist or pediatrician.

Often young mothers are frightened by the fluff that can be seen on the body of a newborn - thin hairs, sometimes quite thick. There is nothing wrong with this; all newborns have fluff, especially premature ones. Typically, fuzz is most visible on the shoulders, back, forehead and cheeks. It disappears within a few weeks. An inexperienced mother can also be frightened by the so-called milia, which are common to all newborns. These are small white pimples measuring 1-2 mm on the chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. This is what enlarged sebaceous glands look like. They will no longer be noticeable and disappear spontaneously after a few days or weeks. There is no need to be afraid or remove them.

EYES

As a rule, in the first two days the baby practically does not open his eyes, since his eyelids are swollen and heavy after birth. But the doctor examining the child is obliged to pay attention to the condition of the eyes. Firstly, there may be suppuration, in other words, purulent conjunctivitis. It indicates an infection caused by staphylococci and other pathogens. They could be “awarded” both in the maternity hospital and before it. To prevent the development of infection, immediately after birth, the baby’s eyes are wiped with a sterile gauze pad, generously moistened with Vaseline or vegetable oil.

Secondly, small hemorrhages often appear under the conjunctiva, or, simply put, on the white of the newborn’s eye. It happens that the eye is completely painted the color of blood. This occurs from increased pressure as the baby passes through the birth canal. Don’t be alarmed - this is not forever, the hemorrhages will resolve on their own within 2-4 weeks.

MOUTH AND NOSE

A newborn baby can only breathe through his nose, so any obstacles can threaten the child’s life. It is necessary to examine his mouth and pharynx to identify abnormalities in the form of a “cleft palate” - cleft palate and a “cleft lip” - cleft upper lip. Such deviations are rare, and usually the neonatologist is the first to notice them. It is also uncommon for teeth to grow prematurely and need to be removed, especially if they are loose and at risk of falling out.

Don’t be alarmed if you find small white formations in your baby’s mouth, one on each side of the midline of the palate. These are just “Epstein pearls” that disappear a few weeks after birth. This is another one normal feature newborn

Don't worry if your doctor says the frenulum is attached too close to the tip of the tongue. This phenomenon, as a rule, does not interfere with the child’s life, feeding and speech development. In extreme cases, you can decide to have surgery to trim the frenulum. But there is no need to rush into this unnecessarily. Most often, such an operation is performed after two or three years, when the child is strong enough.

BREAST

The chest is one of the most important indicators of the condition of a newborn. The baby’s ribs are elastic and only after some time they take on the shape familiar to an adult. Near the midline of the chest, below or above the normal nipples, additional breast nipples. These are harmless pink or pigmented spots that range in size from a few millimeters to the size of normal nipples. You shouldn't pay attention to them. Over time they will disappear.

It happens that the baby’s mammary glands swell. This occurs, as a rule, on the third or fourth day of life, and by the seventh day of life it reaches its climax. Then the swelling decreases. They are symmetrical, and the skin around the nipple is not changed. The maximum diameter of the enlarged gland can reach 1.5-2 cm. Most often, this process leads to the release of a milk-like substance, which in its composition is close to the mother's colostrum. Under no circumstances should you squeeze out the contents: there is Great chance cause an infection, which will lead to even greater swelling and discharge of pus. Treatment is usually not required, but if the condition is severe, it is worth applying a warm, sterile bandage to protect the skin from irritation from clothing. In case of any complications, you should consult a specialist.

A newborn baby should breathe through the diaphragm, not the chest. The respiratory rate in healthy children ranges from 40 to 60 per minute. Moreover, immediately after birth, the breathing rate is very high, which is natural after the birth shock experienced by the child. In any case, during this time the child should be monitored by a medical specialist in order to accurately determine whether the child is breathing normally or whether his breathing is impaired for some reason.

BOYS AND GIRLS

In a normal newborn boy, the foreskin completely covers the head of the penis, so that the urethra may not be visible. The genitals can look like this for quite a long time, up to four to six months, or even longer. And don’t even think about “helping” the baby and pulling the foreskin back by force. As a rule, everything goes away by itself.

Male babies born at term have their testicles in the scrotum. In this case, the scrotum is large and hangs freely at a great distance from the perineum. If it is not visible at all, then you should consult a doctor. And one more thing: the scrotum should not be closely adjacent to the perineum in normal children born at term. This happens in premature babies. And now about the girls. When everything is normal, the labia majora protrude above the labia minora. But sometimes it can be the other way around. However, this is not yet a cause for concern - everything will soon fall into place. If the size of the clitoris is so large that you initially decided that you were having a boy, then you should be wary. Do not leave your baby without medical supervision.

For a girl born at term, it is absolutely normal that the free end of the hymen protrudes from the external opening of the vagina and disappears only after a few weeks. In the first week of life, milky white mucous discharge, sometimes stained with blood, may appear. Don’t be afraid - it’s just that your maternal hormones have “taken their toll”, and in two, maximum three days everything should pass.

This is a miniature manifestation of puberty, which occurs in two out of three girls. This state is biologically expedient. It is believed to play an important role in brain development.

HANDS, LEGS...

The baby's feet and hands should be examined to rule out malformations or traumatic injuries.

Sometimes it happens that the sixth, extra finger is attached to the side surface of the little finger and looks like a thin leg. As a rule, it is removed surgically, and in the future the hand or foot looks like a normal person. Fusion of the toes is observed more often on the legs. This can also be easily corrected through surgery.

Parents should know that all changes in the structure of the hands or feet are mostly hereditary. And in order not to faint at the sight of an unexpected sixth finger, find out from your grandparents, moms and dads, whether they had this kind of problem.

Many mothers know that the health and development of the baby is largely determined by the condition of his head. Some parents are worried about postpartum spots, others have heard about the dangers of birth injuries. So what can parents pay attention to when the baby is born? And when should you see a doctor to get the help you need?