Cephalhaematoma Flashcards
1
Q
What is a cephalhaematoma?
What causes it?
A
This is a subperiosteal swelling on the foetal head and its boundaries are therefore limited by the individual bone margins i.e. doesn’t cross suture lines (commonest over parietal bones).
This is caused by bleeding between periosteum and skull.
It is fluctuant.
Spontaneously resolves occurs but may take up to 3 months and may cause or contribute to jaundice / anaemia.
2
Q
When is cephalhaematoma most commonly seen?
A
Most commonly develops several hours after delivery.
More commonly seen following prolonged and difficult deliveries or if an infants head is larger than mother’s pelvis during labour which could rupture blood vessels
3
Q
What are the differentials for cephalhaematoma?
A
- Facial suffusion - when baby shoots through the birth canal very quickly and their capillaries burst in the head.
- Vontouse delivery marks
- Forcep delivery mark
