Curriculum · Pediatric / Nutrition & Growth / EPI / Routine Child Examination
Caput succedaneum versus cephalohaematoma
What it is
Both are soft tissues injuries of birth, along with chignon; the other class of birth injuries is nerve palsies. Caput succedaneum is a localized soft tissue edema with a poorly defined outline, sitting subcutaneous, above the periosteum, and its content is edema. Cephalohematoma is a soft, fluctuant, localized swelling with a well-defined outline, sitting subperiosteal, below the periosteum, and its content is blood.
Causes and risk
Caput succedaneum is caused by pressure of the fetal head against the cervix during labor, which decreases blood flow to the area and results in edema. Cephalohematoma is caused by subperiosteal hemorrhage. The risk factors for birth injuries in general are a large baby, instrumental deliveries, a prolonged delivery, and pelvic contracture or deformity.