The key difference between cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum is that cephalohematoma is a condition due to the build-up of blood underneath a newborn’s scalp while caput succedaneum is a condition due to the build-up of serosanguinous fluids below a newborn’s scalp.
Cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum are two medical conditions that can be seen in newborns. These two conditions may occur together or separately. They are due to the build-up of fluid below the scalp in newborns. They are commonly seen as birth injuries. Both conditions do not cross the suture lines of the bones on their head, and they are usually not life-threatening. However, these conditions may cause complications as well. These conditions have different aetiologies. Cephalohematoma occurs due to blood accumulation while caput succedaneum occurs due to subcutaneous fluid accumulation.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cephalohematoma
3. What is Caput Succedaneum
4. Similarities – Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum
5. Cephalohematoma vs. Caput Succedaneum in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum
7. Summary – Cephalohematoma vs. Caput Succedaneum
What is Cephalohematoma?
Cephalohematoma is a build-up of blood underneath a newborn’s scalp. This condition usually appears soon after birth. The bulge developed by this haemorrhage is discrete and does not cross the suture lines of the bones on the head. The bulge is also located at the back of the head. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include difficulty feeding, fatigue, head swelling, high-pitched crying, large head, seizures, soft spots on the head, and vomiting. It is caused by external pressure on the fetal head, which results in the rupture of small blood vessels between the periosteum and calvarium. The complications resulting from cephalohematoma are jaundice, anemia, infections, and skull fractures.
Cephalohematoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, and ultrasound. Furthermore, cephalohematoma does not need any treatment; however, sometimes, doctors may drain the bumps created by haemorrhage.
What is Caput Succedaneum?
Caput succedaneum arises from scalp edema, typically evident at birth, resulting from the accumulation of subcutaneous serosanguinous fluids at the top of the head. This swelling makes the scalp feel spongy. However, it does cross suture lines and starts to go down soon after birth in newborns. The symptoms of this condition may include darker colours or bruising on the swollen area on the back of the head, puffiness or swelling that feels soft, and swelling extending down both sides of the head. It is caused by pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first or vertex delivery. The potential complications of caput succedaneum include hair loss and jaundice.
Caput succedaneum can be diagnosed through physical examination and prenatal ultrasound. Furthermore, most caput succedaneum do not require medical treatment; however, draining the accumulated fluid beneath the scalp may be required to alleviate swelling.
What are the Similarities Between Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum?
- Cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum are two medical conditions that can be seen in newborns.
- Both these two conditions may occur together or separately.
- They are due to a build-up of fluid below the scalp in newborns.
- These conditions occur soon after birth.
- Both these conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and ultrasound.
- They can be treated through draining.
What is the Difference Between Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum?
Cephalohematoma is a condition due to the build-up of blood underneath a newborn’s scalp while caput succedaneum is a condition due to the build-up of serosanguinous fluids below a newborn’s scalp. Thus, this is the key difference between cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum. Furthermore, cephalohematoma is caused by external pressure on the fetal head, which results in the rupture of small blood vessels between the periosteum and calvarium. On the other hand, caput succedaneum is caused by pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first or vertex delivery.
The infographic below presents the differences between cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum in tabular form for side by side comparison.
FAQ: Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum
What is the difference between a hematoma and a cephalohematoma?
Hematoma is the accumulation of blood outside the blood vessels. In contrast, cephalohematoma is the accumulation of blood between a newborn’s scalp and skull.
How do you identify cephalohematoma?
Cephalohematoma is identified mainly by a characteristic bulge on the newborn’s head that does not cross cranial suture lines.
What mainly causes caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma?
Caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma mainly occur due to the use of a vacuum, forceps, or another tool that places pressure on the infant’s head to speed up the delivery.
Summary – Cephalohematoma vs. Caput Succedaneum
Cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum are two medical conditions that can be seen in newborns due to the build-up of fluid below the scalp. Cephalohematoma is a condition due to the build-up of blood underneath a newborn’s scalp while caput succedaneum is a condition due to the build-up of serosanguinous fluids below a newborn’s scalp. So, this summarizes what is the difference between cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum.
Reference:
1. “Caput Succedaneum.” Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
2. “Cephalohematoma: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Illustration depicting hemorrhages by location within the different layers of the meninges (left of image) and scalp (right of image)” By Nadezdha D. Kiriyak – Chaturvedi, A., Chaturvedi, A., Stanescu, A.L. et al. Mechanical birth-related trauma to the neonate: An imaging perspective. Insights Imaging 9, 103–118 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-017-0586-x (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Image from page 350 of “A nurse’s handbook of obstetrics” (1915)” By Internet Archive Book Image (Public Domain) via Flickr