Caput Succedaneum
The birth injury caput succedaneum is a severe swelling or bruising of a newborn's scalp. The swelling may happen on any part of the scalp, possibly crossing the midline and may discolor the scalp because of a little bit of bleeding in the area.
Typically, this birth injury is caused by pressure throughout the birthing canal during a head-first delivery. If your child was delivered with the aid of a vacuum extraction, he or she may likely suffer from this birth injury.
The newborn's scalp generally heals itself within a few days, so treatment may not be necessary. There usually isn't any long-term damage; however, a possible complication the child may suffer from is jaundice, as the bruise breaks down.
Symptoms of Caput Succedaneum
Some symptoms of caput succedaneum include:
- Soft and puffy swelling of a newborn infant's scalp
- Swelling extending over the scalp's midline
- Possible bruising
- Can be seen on the part of the head that presented first
Medical professionals can usually conclude whether a newborn has suffered from caput succedaneum with just a physical examination.
Learn About Caput Succedaneum with Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer
Although the formation of caput succedaneum is usually unpredictable and unavoidable, it's possible for caput succedaneum to be identified before labor begins by prenatal ultrasound. Even without an identifiable risk factor, good prenatal care and labor management may be able to reduce the chances of this birth injury.
If your child suffered from complications arising from caput succedaneum, speak with a personal injury attorney to see if you have a birth injury case. Set up a preliminary consultation today by filling out the personal injury case review on this page or calling 877-288-7564. Protect your child's rights with the help of a personal injury attorney.