Caput succadeneum
- this oedematous scalp swelling is superficial to the cranial osteum. Therefore the boundaries of the swelling are not limited - this is in contrast to a cephalhaematoma where the swelling is subperiostial and the boundaries are limited by individual bone margins
- this swelling is located at the presenting part and is a result of pressure against the lower segment and cervix during labour
- this swelling disappears gradually in the first few days after birth
- after a ventouse delivery, the baby's head is left with a "chignon" - an iatrogenic caput succedaneum. This may take as little as 2 hours or as long as 2 weeks to resolve. A chignon is associated with a higher incidence of neonatal jaundice
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