Craniotabes

Craniotabes is a softening of certain areas of the skull bones that, when pressed gently, may give way similar to a ping-pong ball; it is seen mainly in infants.

Context: In newborns it may be a temporary and benign finding, but in older infants it is sometimes related to problems with bone mineralization.

Possible causes: Among the associated factors are deficiencies in bone formation during the first months of life.

Which specialist treats it? The pediatrician examines the baby's skull and assesses whether additional follow-up is needed. If an unusually soft consistency is noticed when checking an infant's head, it is worth mentioning it at the visit for evaluation.