Maryland Cephalohematoma Lawyer
After a difficult delivery, a baby may suffer a cephalohematoma. This type of birth injury occurs when blood vessels in the scalp rupture. A cephalohematoma is caused by pressure on a baby’s head. The blood tends to pool under the baby’s scalp, resulting in a soft bulge that eventually hardens.
A cephalohematoma may seem like a scary thing for your baby to have, but it is typically harmless. It can be caused by the use of vacuum extraction or forceps during delivery, as well as epidural pain relief during childbirth, having multiple babies at once (twins, triplets, etc.), a difficult vaginal delivery, and having a large baby (above 9 pounds).
While a cephalohematoma does not typically require treatment, it may increase the risk of anemia, jaundice, and infections. If your baby has suffered damages, contact the Maryland cephalohematoma lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to learn more about your legal options.
Potential Complications
In severe cases, cephalohematoma may lead to complications, such as:
- Anemia. A cephalohematoma takes blood away from the baby’s circulatory system. A larger cephalohematoma is likely to cause anemia, which is a lack of healthy red blood cells.
- Jaundice. The baby’s body will absorb the blood from the cephalohematoma. This process causes bilirubin levels in the bloodstream to increase, and this can cause jaundice. Jaundice is a condition that causes a yellow tint to skin and eyes.
- Infections. A cephalohematoma is prone to infections, which can actually be the most serious complication on this list. A baby can develop a life-threatening bone infection called osteomyelitis, as well as cellulitis or sepsis.
- Calcifications. While rare, cephalohematomas can cause calcifications, or bone deposits, if they last more than five weeks. Calcifications can affect skull formation and require surgery for removal.
- Skull fractures. It may sound alarming that as many as 25% of babies with cephalohematoma have skull fractures. However, these fractures are actually minor and will heal over time without treatment.
Cephalohematoma and Caput Succedaneum
Cephalohematoma and caput succedaneum are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. While they may occur together, they can also occur separately.
A cephalohematoma is a buildup of blood underneath a newborn’s scalp and causes a discrete bulge. A caput succedaneum causes swelling on the top of the scalp that causes the scalp to feel spongy. It is not necessarily a buildup of blood.
While both tend to occur right after birth, a cephalohematoma may take months to go away. A caput succedaneum, on the other hand, starts going away within days of birth.
Contact Us Today
Cephalohematomas are not usually a cause for concern, but they can cause infections and bone fractures, which can be painful for the baby. In these situations, you may want to hold your doctor liable for their negligence.
Count on the personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to help you understand your legal rights. Learn more by calling (410) 567-0800 to schedule a consultation.
