Pittsburgh
Cephalohematoma Lawyer

On This Page

1. What Is Cephalohematoma?
2. Understanding Cephalohematoma in Newborns
3. Potential Symptoms of Cephalohematoma
4. Learn What Causes Cephalohematoma
5. Request a Free Consultation with Berger and Green Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

What Is Cephalohematoma?

During childbirth, medical malpractice can lead to life-threatening and lasting injuries for a newborn baby. One such form of medical malpractice during childbirth is known as cephalohematoma. According to Deborah A. Raines and Jain Sameer’s research, as published in the

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), cephalohematoma occurs when blood begins to accumulate underneath an infant’s scalp.

While your child might make a full recovery from cephalohematoma after birth, you may still want to consult with a Pittsburgh cephalohematoma lawyer to learn more about filing a claim against negligent healthcare providers.

Medical malpractice is all too common in the United States. A recent statistic published by Hofstra University found that between 2006 and 2016, 143,713 medical malpractice claims were paid out, which averaged to more than 14,000 claims per year during those 10 years. Additionally, the report states that medical malpractice causes about 10% of all U.S. deaths.

If you or a loved one in Pittsburgh has recently given birth to a newborn who has been diagnosed with cephalohematoma, you may be able to seek compensation with the legal aid from a Pittsburgh cephalohematoma lawyer from Berger and Green. Call our personal injury law firm today at (412) 661-1400 or reach us online by requesting a free consultation.

Understanding Cephalohematoma in Newborns

Cephalohematoma can result in a small pool of blood being formed outside of your baby’s skull in their scalp. According to the Birth Injury Help Center, about two out of every 100 babies born in the U.S. develop a cephalohematoma.

While a baby is being born, cephalohematoma can occur when small blood vessels begin to break open in the fetus’ head due to minor trauma, according to Raines and Sameer. Bleeding can be gradual, which means cephalohematoma may not always be evident immediately following birth.

If the bleeding becomes extensive or a skull fracture occurs, the newborn may be at risk of life-threatening injuries that could last with them throughout their life. A clear-cut sign of cephalohematoma in a newborn baby is when a lump forms along their scalp. The Birth Injury Help Center advises that these lumps may be absorbed by the baby’s body over time, as the skull typically protects the baby’s brain from any potential permanent damage.

Risk Factors of Cephalohematoma

According to Raines and Sameer, there are several risk factors that may increase pressure on the baby’s head, which may lead to the risk of developing cephalohematoma. These risk factors may include:

• Prolonged labor
• A second stage of labor
• Macrosomia
• Uterine contractions becoming weak and ineffective
• Abnormal fetal presentation
• Vacuum extraction or forceps delivery
• Several gestations

Diagnosing Cephalohematoma

Doctors should be able to notice the signs of cephalohematoma following childbirth that involve risk factors. After birth, your doctor can diagnose cephalohematoma by conducting a full-body physical on the baby, according to Healthline.

A lump on your infant’s scalp may determine whether they have experienced cephalohematoma, but your doctor should also consider conducting an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. An ultrasound may also be used to diagnose cephalohematoma in a baby.

Potential Symptoms of Cephalohematoma

According to the Birth Injury Help Center, a common symptom of cephalohematoma is known as a “protrusion or bulge” on the back of a baby’s head, which will typically form soon after giving birth.

Additionally, there are internal symptoms that doctors may not notice in your baby that would indicate cephalohematoma. For instance, jaundice can cause the white in a baby’s eyes to turn yellow. This can form when a baby experiences high levels of bilirubin in their blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, jaundice can lead to other complications in a newborn, such as trouble walking, high-pitched crying, listlessness, high fevers, and more.

Potential infections are another symptom of cephalohematoma, along with anemia. According to the Birth Injury Help Center, anemia is when newborns experience high blood loss or have an iron deficiency.

If you suspect your newborn baby in Pittsburgh has cephalohematoma, you may be able to file a claim to earn compensation for your child’s injuries from a complicated birth. A Pittsburgh cephalohematoma lawyer from Berger and Green can help you and your family seek justice once you complete a free consultation online. To learn more about your cephalohematoma legal recourse options, call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400.

Learn What Causes Cephalohematoma

There are several causes of cephalohematoma during difficult childbirth. According to the Mayo Clinic, cephalohematoma may be caused by:

• Excess bilirubin
• Internal bleeding
• Enzyme deficiency
• Liver malfunction
• Bacterial infections
• Sepsis
• Biliary atresia
• Complications with red blood cells

Additionally, a baby can experience cephalohematoma when their head hits the pelvic bone during birth. A newborn may also suffer from cephalohematoma during a vacuum extraction delivery. Other delivery or labor tools may also cause cephalohematoma.

It is important to note that these causes may have been the result of a doctor’s negligence at birth. If so, you may be able to file a claim against the hospital for your child’s injuries, which they could suffer from long after their birth.

Request a Free Consultation with Berger and Green Today

At Berger and Green, we believe that careless doctors should not go unpunished for their poor work when delivering your baby. In some cases, your child’s cephalohematoma could have been the direct result of a doctor’s negligence, such as not noticing the symptoms during an ultrasound.

If your child was recently diagnosed with cephalohematoma in the Pittsburgh area, our team at Berger and Green is ready to hear from you and your family. To contact us, complete a free consultation online by describing a brief description of your medical malpractice case in Pittsburgh. You may also call Berger and Green at (412) 661-1400 for more legal assistance.