CEPHALOHEMATOMA

Course overview

A CEPHALOHEMATOMA IS AN ACCUMULATION OF BLOOD UNDER THE SCALP. DURING THE BIRTH PROCESS, SMALL BLOOD VESSELS ON THE HEAD OF THE FETUS ARE BROKEN AS A RESULT OF MINOR TRAUMA. SPECIFIC TO A CEPHALOHEMATOMA, SMALL BLOOD VESSELS CROSSING THE PERIOSTEUM ARE RUPTURED AND SEROSANGUINEOUS OR BLOODY FLUID COLLECTS BETWEEN THE SKULL AND THE PERIOSTEUM. BECAUSE THE COLLECTION OF BLOOD IS SITTING ON TOP OF THE SKULL AND NOT UNDER IT, THERE IS NO PRESSURE PLACED ON THE BRAIN. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE WORKUP OF CEPHALOHEMATOMAS AND DESCRIBES THE ROLE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING TOGETHER TO MANAGING THIS CONDITION.