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Cephalohematoma is a condition that occurs under the scalp
of a newborn. A collection of blood between the periosteum
and the bone exists as the result of a labor and delivery
injury. It may be evident that cephalohematoma has occurred
because of a bulge over part of the infant's skull, normally
located over the parietal bone on the side of the head.
Depending on the size of the blood collection will determine
the way the mass appears. When cephalohematoma has a small
blood collection, the bulge will be softer and mushier
than if the collection is large, in which it will be firm.
Diagnosing cephalohematoma is pretty apparent since the
blood collection will leave a bulging area on either the
right or left side of the head.
Cephalohematoma is more likely to occur with a mother's
first pregnancy, large babies, and with forceps delivery.
Close monitoring is commonly the treatment method for cephalohematoma.
Since complications can arise including anemia, jaundice,
infection, as well as other conditions, physicians should
be especially careful in more serious cases of cephalohematoma.
Most often, cephalohematoma will occur when the fetal
head is forced through the birth canal. Cephalohematoma
can also indicate an underlying skull fracture, especially
if forceps delivery has been used. In cases when the cephalohematoma
crosses suture lines in the skull, physicians should be
especially wary of the presence of a skull fracture. It
is essential that the cephalohematoma never be drained
or needled due to the risk of infection.
Eventually, the cephalohematoma mass will become calcified
and will harden. This will become reabsorbed and disappear
with time. No trace of the cephalohematoma will be evident
within a few months. When the cephalohematoma is large
and disfiguring, a neurosurgeon will sometimes have to
recontour the skull. For more information on cephalohematoma,
please contact
us.
Additional Information on Cephalohematoma:
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Childrens Hospital San Diego -
About Craniosynostosis
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