Osami had a lump on his head. When asked, they said it was a cephalohematoma. I recall encountering it a few days ago, and upon doing some research, I learned that cephalohematoma could be a cause of newborn jaundice. So, I looked more into this 'cephalohematoma'.👿
Cephalohematoma
It is described as bleeding between the outermost covering of the skull and the skull itself. The skull is made up of eight pieces, and the hematoma usually occurs in one of these parts. Typically, it isn't noticeable at birth but grows larger after 2-3 days. It looks like a swollen bump on the head and usually disappears on its own after 6 weeks to 3 months.
[ Skull Composition ]
👉 Frontal bone, occipital bone, ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone, 2 parietal bones, 2 temporal bones.
Causes of Cephalohematoma
There were various causes when I researched.
[ Reasons for Cephalohematoma ]
👉 Imbalance between the head and pelvis, delayed or rapid delivery, breech birth, vacuum or forceps-assisted birth, etc.
👉 It can also occur naturally.
Though we had a natural birth, and even the C-section went smoothly, I wonder if they used any instruments? 🥲 According to multiple studies, the occurrence rate of cephalohematoma is about 0.2-2.5% (based on a 2000 study).
Cephalohematoma Characteristics
Unlike caput succedaneum, the boundaries of a cephalohematoma are clearly visible and do not expand beyond the limits of the skull segment.
[ Caput Succedaneum - Asan Hospital in Seoul ]
👉 This is a fluid-filled swelling caused by pressure on the baby's head during birth, and its boundaries are not distinct. It usually returns to normal a few days after birth.
My concern regarding Osami's cephalohematoma is the level of his jaundice.
👉 Refer to a previous post: Newborn Jaundice.
A few days ago, I mentioned Osami had jaundice, and the reason was 'bilirubin'. Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells are destroyed, and if accumulated, causes jaundice. The same can happen with the blood in the cephalohematoma. The destroyed red blood cells inside can produce more bilirubin than usual. Thus, newborns with cephalohematoma can have more severe jaundice. 😭
Managing Cephalohematoma
How should one manage a cephalohematoma? As mentioned earlier, it typically disappears within 3 weeks to 6 months after birth. You can mostly leave it alone, but avoid applying pressure or any harsh stimulation. About 25% of cases might accompany a minor skull fracture, which usually heals on its own, but it's understandably a concern for parents. 😭 In rare cases, the blood inside the cephalohematoma can calcify, but it should also disappear within a few months. (However, if it doesn't, you should consult a pediatrician.🏥)
Today, my wife took Osami for a jaundice test at the pediatrician's. The result was 12.7ml/dL.
Despite receiving light therapy, his levels were still this high. 😭😭😭 The levels should ideally drop below 10ml/dL. If it exceeds 15ml/dL, hospitalization is required. They advised us to come back for a retest on Wednesday. With ongoing jaundice treatment, we couldn't breastfeed him. When picking up Osami from the newborn room, we heard he hadn't been feeding well since morning, which might be why. My wife couldn't help but tear up, now understanding why mothers tirelessly run around with a spoon, trying to feed their babies. 🥲
Memory of April 10, 2023.