Differential Diagnosis for Skin Molding Mild

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Caput succedaneum: This condition is a common cause of skin molding in newborns, especially after a vaginal delivery. It is characterized by a soft, puffy swelling of the scalp, which can be mild and usually resolves on its own.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Cephalohematoma: Although typically more severe, a mild cephalohematoma could present with skin molding. It is a collection of blood between the skull and its covering, often resulting from birth trauma.
  • Subgaleal hemorrhage: A mild case could present with skin molding. This condition involves bleeding into the space between the skull and the scalp, which can be life-threatening if severe but might be mild in some cases.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Skull fracture: Although less common and usually associated with more significant trauma, a skull fracture could potentially present with mild skin molding, especially if it's a hairline fracture. Missing this diagnosis could lead to severe complications.
  • Subperiosteal hemorrhage: This condition involves bleeding beneath the periosteum, a layer covering the bones. It could potentially cause mild skin molding and is crucial not to miss due to potential complications.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Craniosynostosis: This is a rare condition where the bones of the skull fuse together prematurely. While it might cause changes in the shape of the head, it could potentially be associated with mild skin molding in some cases, although this would be unusual.
  • Intrauterine infection or inflammation: Certain infections or inflammatory conditions in the womb could potentially lead to changes in the scalp or skull of a newborn, including mild skin molding, although these would be rare and typically associated with other significant symptoms.