Concerned,
Below is text that I found Googling Cephalohematoma. Basically, it's a
bruise under the dura matter of the scalp. The important things to know
from the article are the following --

"Obviously, there is no treatment necessary or ever warranted for an
uncomplicated cephalohematoma. By no means should they ever be drained or
needled, because of the risk of introducing infection into the space."

I'd also take into serious consideration, during this or any childhood
illness, accident, or worry, how your doctors are acting about the issue and
what they say. I've learned from personal experience that if doctors think
that you or your child is in serious danger, you'll know because they will
be booking you into the hospital, or telling you to come back as soon as
possible for more testing. If a doctor says, "oh, that's just a blah blah
blah, and it's nothing to worry about, and will go away on it's own" that
pretty much means that it's nothing to worry about and it will go away on
it's own. Especially if you've now asked more than twice about it, and were
told the same thing by multiple people.

http://www.drhull.com/EncyMaster/C/cephalohematoma.html

Cephalohematoma
There is a very tough tissue covering that encapsulates bones, called the
dura mater (DOO-rah MATE-er). It adheres tenaciously to the outer and inner
surfaces of all the bones of the body, including the skull. If you have ever
boiled a soup bone long enough, you have probably noticed this covering.

A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the dura mater. It is
almost always a complication of childbirth. It most commonly occurs when the
fetal head is forced through the birth canal; the head is propelled forward
while the cervix grips the scalp tenaciously. This sliding, tearing force
can tear tiny veins that nourish the dura mater from the bone side. This
tearing of vessles causes bleeding (hemorrhage) under the tough covering of
each bony plate (the "periosteum"), and a tense pocket of blood collects.
This is apparently a painless process.

The result is a squishy swelling with distinct borders that feels just as if
there were a tiny water-filled balloon under the scalp. It is differentiated
from caput succedaneum in that the caput is a more generalised and very
temporary swelling of the scalp and disappears in a day or two, but the
cephalohematoma becomes more distinct to see and feel over the first few
days of life.
Cephalohematomas are more common with forceps delivery, and can indicate the
presence of a skull fracture. An underlying skull fracture is especially
suspected if the cephalohematoma crosses suture lines in the skull.

The course of a newborn's uncomplicated cephalohematoma is benign. The
trapped blood cells break down and the component parts are reabsorbed into
the system for recycling or disposal. The heme becomes bilirubin, the iron
is recycled into new red blood cells. Calcium is deposited in the resolving
cephalohematoma, especially around the edge where the dura mater has been
lifted up. As the swelling begins to resolve, you will feel a distinct hard
ridge around the edge of the swelling, with a soft, balloon-like center.

Eventually, the entire remaining mass of the cephalohematoma becomes hard
and calcified, and then it too is reabsorbed and disappears. Within a few
months there will be no physical or xray detectable trace of the swelling.

Obviously, there is no treatment necessary or ever warranted for an
uncomplicated cephalohematoma. By no means should they ever be drained or
needled, because of the risk of introducing infection into the space.

The only problems I have ever seen related remotely to or confused with a
cephalohematoma were related to underlying skull fracture. Such problems are
extraordinarily rare. See leptomeningeal cyst.

--

Jamie
Earth Angels:
Taylor Marlys -- 01/03/03
Addison Grace -- 09/30/04

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