Caput Succedaneum vs. Cephalohematoma

If you're a parent, there’s nothing scarier than noticing something unusual with your newborn, especially right after birth. In those first precious hours with your baby, the last thing you want is to worry that something went wrong.

While birth-related head injuries can happen, sometimes these are a sign that medical professionals did not handle your and your child’s care correctly.

Two common head injuries that can occur during childbirth are caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma. These conditions can look similar at first glance, but they’re very different in terms of how they happen, how serious they are, and how they should be treated.

Did your child suffer a birth injury due to medical negligence? Pierce Skrabanek will help you get answers and fight for the financial support your family needs following a preventable birth injury. Reach out to our birth injury attorneys online or by calling (832) 690-7000. 

What Is Cephalohematoma vs. Caput Succedaneum?

When a baby is born, their body goes through a lot, especially their head. Sometimes, the pressure during delivery can cause swelling or bruising on the scalp. 

Two of the most common conditions that can happen are caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma. These may look alike at first, but they are very different in how they form and what they mean for your child.

Caput Succedaneum

Caput succedaneum is a soft, squishy swelling that forms on a newborn’s scalp, usually right after birth. It often develops when a baby’s head is pushed against the cervix or pelvic bones for a long time during labor. 

This pressure can cause fluid to build up in the soft tissues of the scalp. In some cases, the use of delivery tools like vacuum extractors or forceps can increase the risk of this condition by adding extra pressure to the baby’s head.

The swelling in caput succedaneum is located just beneath the skin, on top of the skull. It usually appears over the part of the head that came out first during birth, most often the crown. 

Cephalohematoma

Cephalohematoma, on the other hand, is a buildup of blood that forms between a newborn’s skull bone and the thin layer of tissue that covers it, called the periosteum. This condition happens when small blood vessels are damaged during delivery, causing blood to leak and collect in that space. 

Unlike caput succedaneum, which involves fluid, cephalohematoma involves actual bleeding beneath the scalp. This type of injury does not usually appear right away. In many cases, it takes several hours, or even up to a full day, before a noticeable lump forms.

Key Difference Between Caput Succedaneum and Cephalohematoma

Caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma can both cause visible swelling on a newborn’s head, which is why they’re often confused at first. However, there are some significant differences between them, including: 

• The location of the swelling: Caput succedaneum is swelling in the soft tissue above the skull, just under the skin. Cephalohematoma is a pocket of blood trapped between the skull bone and the tissue above it.
• Consistency and appearance: Caput succedaneum feels soft, squishy, and may look puffy or bruised. Cephalohematoma feels firm and usually has a more distinct, raised shape.
• Timing: Caput succedaneum is generally present immediately after birth. The bump is noticeable right away. Cephalohematoma may take hours or even a full day to appear. It starts as a small bump and may grow slightly before stabilizing.
• Duration: Caput succedaneum usually goes away within a few days without any special treatment. Cephalohematoma takes much longer to heal, sometimes weeks or even months.
• Health Complications: Caput succedaneum rarely causes any lasting problems and typically resolves on its own. Cephalohematoma can lead to complications that require medical attention.

Causes for Caput Succedaneum vs. Cephalohematoma

Both caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma are commonly the result of physical pressures during childbirth. Giving birth is a physically demanding process for both mother and baby, and sometimes the baby’s head takes the most pressure, especially during vaginal deliveries. 

While these conditions are relatively common, they can become more severe and are sometimes preventable when proper medical care is not provided.

Common causes of either condition include: 

• Prolonged labor
• Tight fit through the birth canal
• Abnormal fetal position
• Sporadic contractions

While these conditions can happen naturally, the real concern arises when medical negligence plays a role. For example:

• Failure to properly monitor the baby’s position: Doctors and nurses should keep track of how the baby is positioned during labor to ensure a safe delivery. If the baby’s position is causing problems, an intervention should be considered, like a C-section or a different type of assisted delivery. Neglecting to act on this can increase the risk of injury.
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum: When these tools are needed, they should be used carefully and by trained professionals. If they’re applied with too much force or for too long, the risk of injury increases.
• Not recognizing warning signs: Every labor is different, and medical professionals should be alert to any signs that things are not going as expected. If labor is too long or the baby shows signs of distress, doctors should act quickly to reduce the risk of birth injuries. Failing to do so is a clear form of medical negligence.

When medical negligence occurs, what might have seemed like a minor injury at first can quickly spiral into something far more serious, something that could affect your baby’s health for years to come.

If a doctor or healthcare professional made mistakes that led to caput succedaneum or cephalohematoma, it’s not just an unfortunate accident. You have the right to fight back, and at Pierce Skrabanek, our medical malpractice attorneys will help you do just that. Get in touch with us online or by calling (832) 690-7000 for a complimentary case review today.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Seeing a bump on your newborn’s head can be upsetting, but some swelling after birth is more common than you might think. However, you should seek medical attention if you notice these signs: 

• The swelling seems to get worse over time
• Your baby seems overly sleepy or difficult to wake up
• There is a change in feeding or behavior
• You notice signs of infection, like redness, warmth, or pus
• Your baby develops jaundice, which causes a yellow tint to the skin or eyes

Complications of Cephalohematoma vs. Caput Succedaneum

Sometimes, both caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma heal on their own without medical intervention. Still, these conditions should never be brushed off or ignored. Regular checkups and proper medical monitoring are important to make sure no further complications develop.

As we covered, caput succedaneum usually appears at birth, begins to shrink within a few days, does not require medical treatment, and clears up completely without any long-term effects. However, in some cases, it can lead to: 

• Scalp infections, especially if there was broken skin during delivery
• Alopecia (hair loss) 
• Scarring at the site of swelling
• Increased bruising, which might take longer to fade
• Skin necrosis (cell death)
• Jaundice 

Cephalohematoma tends to develop within hours or a day after birth, can take several weeks or months to fully go away, and usually requires more careful observation since it involves internal bleeding beneath the scalp.

Possible complications of cephalohematoma include: 

• Anemia
• Infection
• Jaundice
• Hypotension
• Intracranial hemorrhaging
• Underlying linear skull fractures

How Are These Conditions Treated?

For most babies, caput succedaneum doesn’t need much more than time. The swelling usually fades on its own within a few days. Keeping the area clean and dry is helpful, and in some cases, a pediatrician may suggest a gentle massage to encourage fluid drainage and ease any pressure.

Cephalohematoma can also heal naturally, though it takes longer, sometimes several weeks or even months. If the buildup of blood is large or not going down, a doctor might need to drain it using a needle, a process called aspiration. In very rare situations, surgery may be needed, especially if there’s an infection or a skull fracture that needs repair. 

A Brighter Path for Your Family’s Future Starts With Pierce Skrabanek

The journey to parenthood is already full of challenges, and no parent should start off with anxiety and frustration due to a birth injury. At Pierce Skrabanek, we’ve helped countless families through these difficult times, fighting for the compensation they deserve for their children’s futures.

With over $500,000,000 in verdicts and settlements recovered and more than 30 years of combined experience, our team is committed to standing up for your child. Contact us today online or by calling (832) 690-7000.