Cephalic hematoma
A cephalal hematoma (from ancient Greek κεφαλή head and αἷμα blood ) is a bruise ( hematoma ) under the periosteum of a cranial bone , usually the parietal bone in the newborn , which is caused by the action of shear forces during birth .
mechanism
The shear forces during childbirth cause the outer periosteum to shift in relation to the top of the skull. Small blood vessels in the periosteum rupture and the blood runs between the cranial bones and the periosteum. A significant swelling develops on the child's head within a few days. Since the periosteum is attached to the edge of the cranial bones, the cephalic hematoma is always limited by the cranial sutures .
In contrast, the birth tumor usually exceeds this. Occasionally there is a small fissure or incomplete fracture of the skull bone. Complications can be increased neonatal jaundice or anemia . Resorption often takes place over the course of a few weeks to months in the form of ossification from the edge, which has a softer depression in the middle and can be mistaken for an impression fracture.
therapy
Therapy by puncture , for example, is not only unnecessary, since the hematoma regresses on its own, but can even lead to increased complications in the form of infection from the puncture or iron deficiency (since the hematoma is no longer absorbed by the body and the iron is used for blood production can lead.
If there is pronounced head hematoma, neonatal icterus can develop. Therefore, regular bilirubin controls and, in the case of hyperbilirubinemia , phototherapy are indicated in this case .