Caput succedaneum is a diffuse swelling of the scalp in a newborn caused by pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first (vertex) delivery.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
A caput succedaneum is caused by the mechanical trauma of the initial portion of scalp pushing through a narrowed cervix. The swelling may be on any portion of the scalp, may cross the midline (as opposed to a cephalhematoma), and may be discolored because of slight bleeding in the area. There may also be molding of the head, which is common in association with a caput succedaneum.
Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine; Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Stoll, BJ, Kliegman, RM. Nervous System Disorders. In: Behrman, RE., Kliegman, RM, Jenson, HB, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed., Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2004:562
