One page summary: Caput succedaneum

In two sentences

Caput succedaneum is swelling of the scalp caused by pressure during birth. It is fluid in the scalp tissue itself, not a collection of blood in a space. ¹

It is present at birth, it crosses the suture lines, and it resolves within days. It is the mildest of the birth-related scalp swellings and it needs no treatment. ¹

The numbers, with their sources

• What it is. Fluid and mild bruising within the scalp tissue itself, caused by pressure during birth ¹
• When it appears. Present at birth, unlike a cephalohematoma which appears hours later ¹
• Whether it crosses sutures. Yes. The swelling is in the scalp, above the level of the bone coverings, so suture lines do not contain it ¹
• How long it lasts. Days. Most resolve within two to three days without any treatment ¹
• Main association. Prolonged labor, prolonged pressure of the head against the cervix, and vacuum-assisted birth ²
• What to distinguish it from. Subgaleal hemorrhage, which also crosses the suture lines but is boggy, grows over hours and can cause dangerous blood loss ¹

What to do this week

1. Ask whether this is caput or something else, and specifically whether it is growing.
2. If the birth was assisted, ask whether head circumference is being measured serially.
3. Ask whether bilirubin should be checked if there is significant bruising.
4. Do not press or massage the area.
5. Ask what should be gone by when, so you know if something is not following the expected course.
6. Ask what would make you call: a growing swelling, pallor, poor feeding or a fast heart rate.

Questions to take with you

Take these with you. Write the answers down in the moment, because you will not remember them later.

For the pediatrician or midwife

• Is this caput, a cephalohematoma, or something that needs watching?
• Is it growing, and is it being measured?
• Should bilirubin be checked because of the bruising?
• When should this be gone?

For the obstetric team, after an assisted birth

• Was vacuum used, and for how long?
• Did the cup detach at any point?
• What monitoring is planned for the next 24 hours?

You can also build a printable list with the question generator.

Where to read more

The full page on this condition covers how it happens, causes split into what happens even with perfect care and what is associated with gaps in care, signs by age, diagnosis, treatment, outlook, daily life and lifetime cost.

Read the full page on Caput succedaneum

Related pages are listed at the bottom of it, including the events that can lead to this condition and the guides that cover therapy, school and money.