caida mollera

caida mollera

, caida de la mollera (kă-ē′thă, -dă mō-yā′ră, -lyā′) [Sp., fallen fontanel] Severe dehydration in infancy. In some Hispanic cultures caida mollera applies to any severe illness in infancy attributed to incorrect care or handling. Causes include diarrhea, decreased appetite, and an inability to nurse (similar to those found in acute gastroenteritis with dehydration). Findings include fever, irritability, restlessness, and sunken fontanels. Folk remedies for this illness include inserting a finger into the child's mouth and pushing up on the palate or applying substances to or sucking on the fontanel.