Medical Conditions

Recognizing Signs of a Brain Tumor in Babies and Toddlers

Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist

Content reviewed against published NIH, AAP, Mayo Clinic guidelines

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If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers, here is what the evidence says.

The short answer

Brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. In babies and toddlers, symptoms can be subtle and overlap with common childhood complaints. Key warning signs include persistent morning vomiting (especially without nausea), rapidly increasing head size, bulging fontanelle, new-onset seizures, developmental regression, balance and coordination problems, vision changes, and persistent headache. These symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, but persistent or progressive symptoms deserve medical evaluation.

Key takeaways

  • Brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. In babies and toddlers, symptoms can be subtle and overlap with common childhood complaints. Key warning signs include persistent morning vomiting (especially without nausea), rapidly increasing head size, bulging fontanelle, new-onset seizures, developmental regression, balance and coordination problems, vision changes, and persistent headache. These symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, but persistent or progressive symptoms deserve medical evaluation.
  • Usually normal when: Occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears
  • Call your doctor if: Persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms
  • Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know

According to NIH, AAP, Mayo Clinic guidelines, brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. In babies and toddlers, symptoms can be subtle and overlap with common childhood complaints. Key warning signs include persistent morning vomiting (especially without nausea), rapidly increasing head size, bulging fontanelle, new-onset seizures, developmental regression, balance and coordination problems, vision changes, and persistent headache. These symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, but persistent or progressive symptoms deserve medical evaluation. At 0-6 months, brain tumors in young infants may present with rapidly increasing head circumference (the skull can expand to accommodate the tumor), bulging fontanelle, irritability, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays. The open fontanelle allows head expansion, which may mask increased pressure initially. It is generally considered normal when occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Normal vs. Concerning

Usually Normal
Worth Discussing
Occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears
Persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms
Vomiting from a stomach bug that follows a typical gastroenteritis pattern
New-onset seizures, sudden vision loss, acute neurological changes, or rapidly bulging fontanelle
Normal head growth tracking along a consistent percentile curve
Your child has persistent headaches, especially worse in the morning

By Age

What to expect by age

0-6 months

Brain tumors in young infants may present with rapidly increasing head circumference (the skull can expand to accommodate the tumor), bulging fontanelle, irritability, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays. The open fontanelle allows head expansion, which may mask increased pressure initially.

6-12 months

Signs may include loss of previously acquired milestones, new head tilt, abnormal eye movements (especially a new inability to look upward), and vomiting. As the fontanelle begins to close, signs of increased intracranial pressure may become more apparent.

12-24 months

Toddlers may show progressive unsteadiness when walking, persistent morning vomiting, increasing head size, personality changes, and new-onset seizures. A head tilt that is not from torticollis may indicate a posterior fossa tumor.

2-3 years

Children this age can sometimes communicate headache or vision changes. Watch for persistent headaches (especially worse in the morning or waking the child), vomiting without stomach illness, clumsiness, and behavioral changes. Any new neurological symptom that is progressive deserves evaluation.

3-5 years

Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, vision changes, balance problems, and personality changes. Teachers may notice declining performance or behavioral changes. MRI is the gold standard for brain tumor diagnosis. With modern treatment, many childhood brain tumors are curable.

What to Tell Your Pediatrician

  • Describe when you first noticed recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if your child has persistent headaches, especially worse in the morning.
  • Mention if you notice your child's head seems to be growing faster than expected.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

What Should You Do?

When to take action

Probably normal when...
  • Occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears
  • Vomiting from a stomach bug that follows a typical gastroenteritis pattern
  • Normal head growth tracking along a consistent percentile curve
Mention at your next visit when...
  • Your child has persistent headaches, especially worse in the morning
  • You notice your child's head seems to be growing faster than expected
  • Your child has new clumsiness, balance problems, or vision changes
Act now when...
  • Persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms
  • New-onset seizures, sudden vision loss, acute neurological changes, or rapidly bulging fontanelle

What You Can Do at Home

  • Keep track of when you notice recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
  • Remember that occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears — this is generally within the range of normal.
  • At 0-6 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
  • Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
  • While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms.

Types of Seizures in Babies and What They Look Like

Seizures in babies can look very different from seizures in adults. Types include subtle seizures (eye deviation, lip smacking, bicycling movements), tonic seizures (stiffening), clonic seizures (rhythmic jerking), myoclonic seizures (quick jerks), and infantile spasms (clusters of brief body flexion). Any suspected seizure in a baby needs medical evaluation. Video-recording the episode on your phone is extremely helpful for your doctor to determine if it was truly a seizure.

When Should My Baby See a Pediatric Neurologist?

A pediatric neurologist specializes in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles in children. Referral is appropriate for seizures, abnormal head size or growth, significant hypotonia or hypertonia, developmental regression, movement disorders, headaches, suspected neuromuscular conditions, and abnormal neurological examination findings. These specialists perform detailed neurological evaluations and may order EEGs, MRIs, and other specialized testing.

My Baby's Head Seems Too Small (Microcephaly)

A baby's head circumference is measured at every well-child visit to track brain growth. A head that is smaller than expected does not always mean there is a problem - genetics play a major role, and some families naturally have smaller head sizes. However, if the head circumference is significantly below normal or is falling off its growth curve, your pediatrician will want to investigate further.

Triage

Vomiting Decision Tree

Evaluate vomiting severity and decide when to call the doctor.

Milestone

Month-by-Month Development

Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.

Guide

When to Call the Doctor

General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.

Frequently asked questions

Is recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers normal?
Brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. In babies and toddlers, symptoms can be subtle and overlap with common childhood complaints. Key warning signs include persistent morning vomiting (especially without nausea), rapidly increasing head size, bulging fontanelle, new-onset seizures, developmental regression, balance and coordination problems, vision changes, and persistent headache. These symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, but persistent or progressive symptoms deserve medical evaluation.
When should I call the doctor about recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers?
Persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms New-onset seizures, sudden vision loss, acute neurological changes, or rapidly bulging fontanelle
When is recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers normal?
Occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears Vomiting from a stomach bug that follows a typical gastroenteritis pattern Normal head growth tracking along a consistent percentile curve
What causes recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers?
Brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. In babies and toddlers, symptoms can be subtle and overlap with common childhood complaints. Key warning signs include persistent morning vomiting (especially without nausea), rapidly increasing head size, bulging fontanelle, new-onset seizures, developmental regression, balance and coordination problems, vision changes, and persistent headache. These symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, but persistent or progressive symptoms deserve medical evaluation. Common explanations include: Occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears. Vomiting from a stomach bug that follows a typical gastroenteritis pattern.
What should I mention to my pediatrician about recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers?
You should mention recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers at your next visit if: Your child has persistent headaches, especially worse in the morning. You notice your child's head seems to be growing faster than expected. Your child has new clumsiness, balance problems, or vision changes.
Is recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers normal at 0-6 months?
Brain tumors in young infants may present with rapidly increasing head circumference (the skull can expand to accommodate the tumor), bulging fontanelle, irritability, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays. The open fontanelle allows head expansion, which may mask increased pressure initially.
Is recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers normal at 6-12 months?
Signs may include loss of previously acquired milestones, new head tilt, abnormal eye movements (especially a new inability to look upward), and vomiting. As the fontanelle begins to close, signs of increased intracranial pressure may become more apparent.
Should I go to the ER for recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers?
Seek emergency care if persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms, or if new-onset seizures, sudden vision loss, acute neurological changes, or rapidly bulging fontanelle. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's after-hours line for guidance.
Does recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers go away on its own?
In many cases, recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers resolves on its own, especially when occasional headache with viral illness that resolves as the illness clears. By 3-5 years, symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, vision changes, balance problems, and personality changes. Teachers may notice declining performance or behavioral changes. MRI is the gold standard for brain tumor diagnosis. With modern treatment, many childhood brain tumors are curable.
NIHAAPMAYO CLINIC

References

  1. [1]National Cancer Institute. Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview. NIH
  2. [2]American Academy of Pediatrics. Brain Tumors in Children. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
  3. [3]Mayo Clinic. Pediatric brain tumors. Mayo Clinic

Doctor Visit Checklist

Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Recognizing Signs of a Brain Tumor in Babies and Toddlers.

Things to mention

  • Describe when you first noticed recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if your child has persistent headaches, especially worse in the morning.
  • Mention if you notice your child's head seems to be growing faster than expected.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

Observations to share

  • Your child has persistent headaches, especially worse in the morning
  • You notice your child's head seems to be growing faster than expected
  • Your child has new clumsiness, balance problems, or vision changes

Urgent signs to report immediately

  • Persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms
  • New-onset seizures, sudden vision loss, acute neurological changes, or rapidly bulging fontanelle

My notes

From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members

Related Resources

Vomiting TriageWell-Baby Visit PrepBaby Sign Language GuideBaby Tracker

Bottom line

Most cases of recognizing signs of a brain tumor in babies and toddlers are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if persistent morning vomiting without nausea or stomach illness, especially with headache or neurological symptoms.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

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Types of Seizures in Babies and What They Look Like

Seizures in babies can look very different from seizures in adults. Types include subtle seizures (eye deviation, lip smacking, bicycling movements), tonic seizures (stiffening), clonic seizures (rhythmic jerking), myoclonic seizures (quick jerks), and infantile spasms (clusters of brief body flexion). Any suspected seizure in a baby needs medical evaluation. Video-recording the episode on your phone is extremely helpful for your doctor to determine if it was truly a seizure.

When Should My Baby See a Pediatric Neurologist?

A pediatric neurologist specializes in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles in children. Referral is appropriate for seizures, abnormal head size or growth, significant hypotonia or hypertonia, developmental regression, movement disorders, headaches, suspected neuromuscular conditions, and abnormal neurological examination findings. These specialists perform detailed neurological evaluations and may order EEGs, MRIs, and other specialized testing.

My Baby's Head Seems Too Small (Microcephaly)

A baby's head circumference is measured at every well-child visit to track brain growth. A head that is smaller than expected does not always mean there is a problem - genetics play a major role, and some families naturally have smaller head sizes. However, if the head circumference is significantly below normal or is falling off its growth curve, your pediatrician will want to investigate further.

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