Infant scalp hematoma

Infant scalp hematoma types

Differential Diagnosis

Newborn Problems

• Newborn resuscitation
• Hypoxia
  • Primary apnea
  • Secondary apnea
• Hypothermia
• Hypoglycemia
• Meconium aspiration
• Anemia (abruption)
• Infant scalp hematoma

Evaluation

• Subgaleal hematoma
  • Between potential space between the periosteum and the galeal aponeurosis → can cross suture lines
  • Occur in vacuum assisted delivery, but may indicate head trauma (ie NAT - non-accidental trauma)
• Cephalohematoma
  • Subperiosteal usually from birth trauma as well. Bound by periosteum → Do not cross suture lines
• Caput succedaneum
  • Extra-periosteal subQ fluid usually from birth trauma → Do cross suture lines. Found in dependent areas.

References

Authors

Ross Donaldson, Daniel Ostermayer, Michael Holtz, Neil Young