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What is caput succedaneum, and what are its causes and symptoms?

Caput succedaneum is a Latin term that translates to “substitute head.” A newborn with this condition has extra fluid collecting around their scalp. Learn more about how to identify this condition and what you can do about it.

Symptoms

Caput succedaneum generally presents as swelling or puffiness around a newborn baby’s scalp. Pressing on the swollen area can cause a temporary dimple as that swelling is actually a pocket of fluid. There may also be some light bruising or discoloration that will go away with time.

After birth, the swelling will eventually go down. A baby with caput succedaneum may have a slightly pointed head as a result, leading the condition to be nicknamed “newborn conehead.”

Causes

The most common cause of caput succedaneum is excess pressure on the baby’s head during the delivery process. If your baby has this condition, the swelling will likely be most apparent on the first part of the scalp that exits the birth canal.

Often, there is nobody to blame for this birth condition; it simply happens sometimes, especially with bigger babies and those born past their expected due date. However, there are occasionally other factors at play.

If your obstetrician used forceps during delivery or struggled to get the baby out using vacuum extraction, talk to an Idaho birth injury attorney about your options. If you have sufficient evidence that those birth instruments caused your baby to develop caput succedaneum, your doctor could hold some liability for that injury.

What Can You Do?

First and foremost, talk to your pediatrician about the prognosis for your baby. Caput succedaneum generally goes away on its own, but that swelling and bruising could increase your little one’s risk of developing infant jaundice. Your baby should be monitored by medical professionals to ensure no complications ensue.

Next, if you and your pediatrician think the condition was caused by excessive force during delivery, consult with an attorney. If your lawyer believes the obstetrician was reckless with the forceps or vacuum extractor, they can help you file a lawsuit and get you the compensation you deserve.

While caput succedaneum has a variety of causes and symptoms, some of those causes could be a result of the way your obstetrician delivered your baby. If you suspect any recklessness on their part, tell your story to a birth injury attorney at Rossman Law Group. We will listen with empathy and provide valuable advice on how to move forward.