Newborn Cephalohematoma

What Is Newborn Cephalohematoma?

While there are many different types of birth injuries an infant can sustain during labor and delivery, newborn cephalohematoma is among the more common types of injuries that can occur. Cephalohematoma occurs when blood collects between a newborn infant’s scalp and skull.  

Some of the most common complications that stem from cephalohematoma include: 

• Calcification 
• Jaundice
• Infection
• Skull fractures
• Anemia 

Types of Newborn Cephalohematoma

There are various types of newborn cephalohematoma, including acute and chronic. Learning the differences in these conditions is essential to understanding what your newborn may be experiencing. 

If your child is experiencing acute infant hematoma, the symptoms will likely show immediately or shortly following the delivery. Whereas chronic hematoma, on the other hand, may not show until a few days or weeks after the birth. 

Signs of a Serious Brain Injury From Cephalohematoma

Noticing whether your infant has sustained any brain damage may not be as easy as it sounds. However, some of the signs to look for immediately following birth include the following:

• There is noticeable bruising on the face or head
• You notice their spine does not feel normal and seems malformed
• The infant’s neck seems stiff or, conversely, excessively loose, so their head flops around
• Your infant has problems eating or sleeping or cries continuously
• You notice your infant’s facial features seem distorted or abnormal
• The head and skull appear abnormally shaped or smaller in proportion to your infant’s body
• Your infant seems very fussy or irritable
• Your infant’s eye movement seems abnormal

If your child seems to be experiencing any of these symptoms, contact a medical provider right away.

What Causes Infant Cephalohematoma?

There are multiple causes of this birth injury, so it’s important to be aware of the different possible causes to determine whether and how your infant may have sustained this injury during birth.

This birth injury often occurs after a strenuous vaginal delivery, as pressure during childbirth can break blood vessels in the infant’s scalp. It is unlikely that this condition requires medical treatment; however, in situations where it is severe enough to require medical intervention or causes other conditions to affect the child, it’s essential to contact an experienced birth injury attorney right away.

Some of the most common causes of cephalohematoma include the following: 

Size of Baby

If the infant is larger than the average baby, vaginal delivery may become more difficult and increase pressure during vaginal delivery.

Prolonged Labor

Prolonged labor is another situation where the infant may sustain cephalohematoma as the infant will likely be within the birth canal long enough to experience significant pressure on their skull. 

Assisted Delivery

During assisted deliveries, the use of forceps and other medical tools can result in the infant’s head being injured during delivery, oftentimes resulting in cephalohematoma. It is not uncommon for forceps or other suction tools to be harmful to the baby, so it’s important to bring any of this information to a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you suspect any type of birth injury to your child. 

When Is Newborn Cephalohematoma a Result of Medical Malpractice?

Newborn cephalohematoma is the result of medical malpractice in situations where the medical providers were negligent during the delivery or handling of the infant. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s actions cause a patient to suffer some type of harm or injury. In order to prove medical malpractice, you will need to be able to establish negligence on behalf of your medical providers. 

If you are wondering whether you can sue for medical malpractice, contact Bachus & Schanker to discuss your claims.  

If You Believe Your Baby Suffered a Serious Injury at Birth, Call the Experts at Bachus & Schanker

The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the most magical moments in the life of a parent. All too often, that moment is shattered by the realization that something is wrong and that the life you always dreamed of for your child may no longer be a reality. 

Our medical malpractice attorneys understand the severity of a birth injury and the emotional trauma it can put on the family as well as the child. Here at Bachus & Schanker, our expert attorneys can guide you through your birth injury lawsuit, given our deep understanding of the Colorado legal system. 

Sources: 

Cephalohematoma. 

Goguen, D. Medical Malpractice Claims and Settlements. 

Newborn Cephalohematoma.