Caput Succedaneum

Caput Succedaneum

Caput succedaneum is a diffuse swelling occurring on the presenting part of a head of a newborn.  It occurs due to pressure from the cervix to the newborn’s scalp during vaginal delivery. Caput succedaneum is most often seen during prolonged labor or when a vacuum device is used to assist delivery. It may be associated with premature rupture of membranes as this leads to decreased support or cushion on the baby’s head.

The swelling in caput succedaneum is soft and poorly-defined. There may be some discoloration or bruising. The swelling often goes beyond the midline of the scalp. Caput succedaneum is often associated with molding of the newborn’s head (abnormal head shape).

There is no treatment needed for caput succedaneum. The swelling will subside on its own after a few days.

In severe cases of caput succedaneum, permanent alopecia (hair loss) may occur in the affected area of the scalp. Extensive bruising may also lead to jaundice.

An important condition to distinguish from caput succedaneum is cephalohematoma. A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp. Like caput succedaneum, a cephalohematomaforms due to pressure on the newborn’s scalp during labor. Unlike caput succedaneum, a cephalohematoma is not associated with any scalp discoloration. The swelling in cephalohematomamay only be seen a few hours after birth. It does not cross the midline of the scalp. A cephalohematomatakes longer to resolve than caput succedaneum, usually taking several weeks.

References:

1.    Behrman RE, Kliegman RM and Jenson HB, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 16^th ed. Pennsylvania: W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

2.    Chang MW and Orlow SJ. Chapter 106: Neonatal, Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest B, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill; 2008.

3.    Laroia N. Pediatric Cardiac Birth Trauma. In Medscape Reference. Retrieved April 16, 2011 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/980112-overview#showall.

4.    Paller AS and Mancini AJ. Chapter 2: Cutaneous Disorders of the Newborn. Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology: A Textbook of Skin Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence. 4^th ed. Elsevier; 2011.

5.    Caput succedaneum. In PubMed Health. Retrieved April 16, 2011 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002554/

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