Does your newborn baby have a lump on his head? It could be a (Cephalohematoma)! Let's talk about this.

It's normal for a mother or father to feel a little scared and worried when they see a small lump on their newborn baby's head, isn't it? Sometimes you may wonder what this is, is it a problem for the baby, or is it a big problem. At such times, we are here to help you and educate you ( We are going to talk about a condition called cephalohematoma .

What is this (Cephalohematoma)?

Simply put, a Cephalohematoma (pronounced s-e-ph-lo-hee-ma-to-ma) is a collection of blood in the area between the scalp and the skin of a newborn baby's head. In medical terms, a Hematoma is a collection of blood that has come out of a blood vessel. The word Cephalo means something related to the head. So, to be precise, this is a collection of blood in the head. This happens because of the pressure that comes on the head when the baby is born.

How common is this condition (Cephalohematoma)?

Now you might be thinking that this is something that happens to all babies, and is very common. It's not. This condition (Cephalohematoma) is usually seen in about 2.5% of babies born after difficult, prolonged vaginal deliveries . That's about two to three out of every hundred babies.

Also, you know, sometimes doctors use certain tools to get the baby out. For example ( Vacuum extraction is the method of helping to remove the baby using forceps. In such assisted deliveries, about one in 10 babies has a chance of developing this condition (Cephalohematoma).

Why does this happen? What are the risk factors for developing (Cephalohematoma)?

Okay, so what are the most important risk factors for a baby's head to develop (Cephalohematoma)? Let's look at that in a little more detail.

• If you are having an assisted delivery using either vacuum extraction or forceps, imagine that when the baby is having a hard time coming out, or when the labor is a little prolonged, you may feel a slight pressure on your head. At that time, the small blood vessels under the skin of your head can be damaged.
• If the mother had anepidural (a painkiller injected into the spine) during labor , the risk is slightly higher because the second stage of labor may be slightly longer.
• If the baby is larger than normal . That means the baby weighs more than 8 pounds and 13 ounces (about 4 kilograms). Doctors call this (fetal macrosomia) . A large baby can put more pressure on the head as it comes out through the vagina.
• If the mother has multiple babies in her womb at once, such as twins or triplets , this risk exists because of the limited space and the nature of the birth.
• If the vaginal delivery takes a long time and is a bit difficult, the baby's head may be under pressure for a long time as the labor progresses.

What does this (Cephalohematoma) look like? What symptoms does the baby have?

Now let's see how this (Cephalohematoma) looks when a baby has it, and what symptoms you, as a mother, will see.

The pressure on the baby's head during birth can damage or burst the very delicate blood vessels in the scalp. This causes blood to pool under the skin, between the skull bone and the tissue that covers it (the periosteum), and form a soft lump or cyst .

• Most of the time, this knot is seen at the back of the head or on one side .
• This lump may begin to appear within a few hours or within the first day or two after the baby is born, and may gradually grow larger over the next few days .
• Sometimes the skin in that area looks blue or purple, like a bruise .
• Over time, that soft lump gradually begins to harden, or calcify (become hard with calcium deposits) .
• Because the center of the lump begins to shrink first, it can sometimes take on a ring-shaped or crater-like appearance. This happens when the lump solidifies around the area and absorbs the liquid in the center.

What to expect if a baby gets a cephalohematoma? Is this dangerous?

If the doctor says your baby has a cephalohematoma, what should you expect? Actually, mom and dad, most of the time, cephalohematoma is nothing to be afraid of, it's not dangerous .

The blood clot that looks like a bruise will heal on its own in two to three weeks, or even two to three months, without any special treatment . So don't worry too much about this.

But, let's also be aware of the possible complications, right?

No matter how simple it is, there are minor complications that can rarely occur. So, it is very important that we are aware of this (Cephalohematoma) as well.

• Anemia: This (Cephalohematoma) is caused by blood being drawn from the baby's circulatory system. This means that only a small amount of the baby's blood is going to the lump. Therefore, especially if the lump is large, there is a small chance that the baby will develop anemia, a condition in which there are low red blood cell counts .
• Calcifications: Sometimes, if the lump has been there for more than five weeks, it can develop calcifications, which are like hardened bone . This is very rare . However, if it does happen, your doctor may recommend a minor surgery to remove the calcifications, as this can affect the way your scalp heals.
• Infections: A cephalohematoma is slightly more likely to develop an infection than normal skin because it is a collection of blood. Although very rare , it can sometimes lead to life-threatening conditions such as osteomyelitis (an infection of the bones), cellulitis (an infection that spreads to the deeper layers of the skin), or sepsis (a serious infection that spreads throughout the body due to bacteria in the blood). That is why you should see a doctor immediately if the area where the lump is located becomes swollen, red, or has a fever.
• Jaundice: As the baby's body absorbs the blood from the cephalohematoma, the red blood cells in that blood break down. This produces a yellow pigment called bilirubin. Jaundice occurs when the level of bilirubin in the blood increases. Your baby's skin and the whites of their eyes may appear yellow . Although it is normal for most newborns to have a slight jaundice, this risk is slightly higher with a cephalohematoma.
• Skull fractures: About one in four babies with cephalohematoma (about 25%) may have a linear skull fracture. This may sound scary, but in this type of fracture, the skull bones do not move, like a line on a plate. Therefore, this also gets better over time without any special treatment . Doctors are also attentive to this.

What is the difference between (Cephalohematoma) and (Caput Succedaneum)?

Now, there's something else. You may have heard of Caput Succedaneum (ka-put sak-si-da-ni-um). Some people call it 'caput', or 'a newborn's head that looks like a cone.' Both Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum can occur together or separately. The best part is, they both usually go away without treatment.

But there are some slight differences between the two. Let's see what they are.

• (Cephalohematoma):
• This is a collection of blood (hemorrhage) between the bone of a newborn's skull and the tissue that covers it (periosteum) .
• The baby usually becomes visible a few hours after birth.
• The knot is well separated, and the boundaries are clearly visible .
• The most important thing is that this knot does not cross the suture lines where the skull bones meet . That means it is limited to one bone.
• Most often, it is located at the back of the head (parietal bone).
• It may be soft at first when you touch it, but then become a little thicker.
• It can take several weeks to several months for this to fully heal.
• (Caput Succedaneum):
• This is a swelling (edema) that occurs when fluid accumulates in the layers beneath the skin of the head, just above the skull bone.
• This is usually seen when the baby is born .
• The swelling may be widespread and have no clear boundaries .
• This swelling can spread beyond the suture lines of the scalp .
• When you touch it, it feels like a sponge, with holes in it .
• This swelling will subside within a few days after the baby is born.

So, simply put, (Cephalohematoma) has blood, (Caput Succedaneum) has a watery fluid (swelling). (Cephalohematoma) is confined to one bone of the skull, but (Caput Succedaneum) is not confined to that, it can spread all over the head.

When should we be more concerned about this and see a doctor?

Okay, so now we know that this (Cephalohematoma) is usually not dangerous. It is normal to feel a little scared when you see a lump that looks like a bruise on your baby's head. But (Cephalohematoma) is usually not harmful. This lump should gradually shrink and go away without treatment in a few weeks or months. When you take your baby to the baby clinic, the doctor will also look at this lump carefully.

However, we mentioned that the baby is at slightly higher risk of jaundice, anemia, and infection due to cephalohematoma. Rarely, there may be a small bruise on the scalp, which will heal on its own.

But if you see these symptoms in your baby, you should definitely see a doctor:

• If your baby is extremely restless , crying in a way that is different from just crying, and is inconsolable.
• If your baby shows signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes) , especially if the yellowing seems to be getting worse.
• If the baby is not eating, drinking less milk, not sleeping properly, and seems generally less active.
• If the area where the cephalohematoma is located becomes swollen, red, feels hot to the touch, or pus-like discharges (these may be signs of infection).
• If the baby has a fever .

At a time like this, it is best to seek advice from a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the most important things we want to take home?

It's normal for parents to be concerned and scared when they see a blood clot (cephalohematoma) on a newborn baby's head. But keep these things in mind:

• Most of the time, this is a harmless, non-serious condition .
• This lump will heal on its own in a few weeks or months without any treatment . Don't try to force it or rub it with anything.
• Your doctor will pay attention to this when he examines your baby. If you have any questions, ask at that time.
• It's good to be aware of rare complications (like jaundice, anemia, infections) and be on the lookout for those symptoms.
• If your baby is unusually restless, shows signs of jaundice, refuses to eat or drink, or has signs of a diaper infection, be sure to see a doctor immediately.

So, we hope this information is useful to you. We believe that this knowledge will help you enjoy this precious time with your little one, without unnecessary fear!

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