May 12, 2025 | Personal Injury
New parents often hear unfamiliar medical terms, like “cephalohematoma,” during doctor visits. Cephalohematoma is a birth injury where blood collects between a newborn’s skull and scalp tissue, forming a soft bump hours after birth.
Unlike normal swelling from labor, it’s caused by ruptured blood vessels and indicates trauma. While it usually doesn’t affect the brain and stays in one area, it can still lead to complications and should be monitored by a doctor.
Cephalohematoma Causes to Know
Most often, cephalohematoma shows up after a difficult delivery. The pressure involved with moving through the birth canal can be intense, especially during long or assisted labors. Tools like forceps or vacuum extractors can increase the risk of damage to the tiny blood vessels in the baby’s head.
Cephalohematoma may be more likely if the child is large, the mother has a small pelvis, or the birth happened in an unusual position. These factors make delivery more challenging and raise the chances of injury. First-time births tend to come with longer labor times, which can also increase the risk.
There’s no one specific cause of cephalohematoma. Usually, a combination of circumstances and medical techniques leads to this kind of injury. When it happens, it’s not always obvious right away, either.
Spotting Cephalohematoma Symptoms
The most common sign of cephalohematoma is a soft, raised bump on the back or side of the baby’s head. Typically, it shows up within the first day or two of birth rather than immediately. The bump won’t cross the bones of the skull. If it moves or spreads, then it is probably something else.
The spot might feel squishy at first and become firmer as time goes on. Over the course of a few weeks, the baby’s body will start to reabsorb the blood. During this time, the color might change, and the lump might shrink. In most cases, the spot completely goes away on its own.
However, certain warning signs point to complications. Parents should watch for yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), signs of infection like redness or warmth over the lump, or unusual fussiness. In rare cases, cephalohematoma can lead to anemia or skull issues triggered by pressure.
When Cephalohematoma Signals Something More
While a bump on a newborn’s head isn’t unusual, cephalohematoma could potentially point to bigger concerns. What matters is what it may suggest about the birth.
Birth trauma can mean that a baby was handled roughly or that tools weren’t used correctly. Some babies with this condition have more serious physical trauma, like skull fractures. These injuries don’t always appear immediately.
It’s also worth keeping track of how long it takes for the bump to disappear. If it doesn’t improve after a few weeks (or if it gets worse instead of better), it could be tied to a deeper problem. That’s when parents need to start asking the harder questions.
Legal Implications of Cephalohematoma in Birth Injury Cases
Every birth injury tells a story. Cephalohematoma might seem like a small matter, but its presence can be a hint that the delivery may have been mismanaged. Families in Lexington dealing with a cephalohematoma want to know why it happened and whether it could have been avoided. Knowing its causes and symptoms is the first step in that process and can help determine if there is a personal injury claim.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Kentucky Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Lexington or Bowling Green, please contact our personal injury lawyers at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC for a free case evaluation.
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC – Lexington, KY Office
325 W Main St #210, Lexington, KY 40507
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