From the Research
Caput succedaneum is soft. This condition is characterized by a soft, puffy swelling of the scalp in newborns, caused by pressure on the head during delivery that results in fluid accumulation in the tissue between the scalp and the periosteum (the membrane covering the skull) 1. Unlike cephalohematoma, which involves bleeding beneath the periosteum and feels firm, caput succedaneum has a soft, boggy texture when palpated. The swelling typically crosses suture lines of the skull and is most prominent at the presenting part of the head during delivery.
Some key characteristics of caput succedaneum include:
- Soft, puffy swelling of the scalp
- Caused by pressure on the head during delivery
- Fluid accumulation in the tissue between the scalp and the periosteum
- Swelling typically crosses suture lines of the skull
- Most prominent at the presenting part of the head during delivery
Caput succedaneum is benign and resolves spontaneously within a few days after birth without requiring any specific treatment 2. The soft nature of the swelling is due to the serous fluid (edema) rather than blood collection, which explains its different consistency compared to other birth-related head swellings. Parents can be reassured that this condition does not affect brain development and will disappear naturally as the fluid is reabsorbed. It's worth noting that while caput succedaneum is generally a benign condition, it can sometimes be associated with other scalp injuries or conditions, such as erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp 3. However, the primary characteristic of caput succedaneum itself remains its soft texture.