PEDIATRICS Vol. 62 No. 6 December 1978, pp. 996-999
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Clinical Significance of Monitoring Anterior Fontanel Pressure in Sick Neonates and Infants

Dharmapuri Vidyasagar M.D.1, Tonse N. K. Raju M.D., D.C.H.1, and Julie Chiang M.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, Chicago

The intracranial pressure was monitored via the anterior fontanel, using a noninvasive technique, in 78 acutely ill, 39 normal term, and 6 normal preterm infants. In normal term and preterm infants the anterior fontanel pressure (AFP) was 10.2 ± 0.4 and 9.5 ± 0.8 cm H2O, respectively. Infants with hyaline membrane disease had elevated pressure (13.3 ± 0.6 cm H2O), which was higher than that of normal preterm infants. Following an episode of intracranial hemorrhage in four infants, the AFP increased to 26.2 ± 2.5 cm H2O, Elevated pressure was noted in infants with meconium aspiration syndrome (24.1 ± 1.8 cm H2O); the pressure decreased during the phase of recovery (15.6 ± 3.5 cm H2O). Elevated pressure was noted in infants with meningitis and hydrocephalus. Repeated measurements helped to diagnose shunt obstruction in an infant with hydrocephalus.

Submitted on July 21, 1977
Accepted on March 16, 1978