Question
There is a soft spot on the top of a newborn’s head. When gently pushed, it feels as if there is liquid inside, located between the scalp and the skull. The skull is hard, and the area of the soft spot is about the size of a child’s palm. Have experts encountered this phenomenon before? Is it normal? Do I need to seek medical attention? Thank you!
Answer
According to available information, this may be a cephalohematoma in newborns. Typically, a cephalohematoma in newborns refers to bleeding between the skull and the periosteum covering the skull, resulting in blood pooling. For the care of a cephalohematoma, regional cold compresses can be applied to prevent the hematoma from expanding; for larger hematomas, an X-ray examination should be performed to determine if there is any skull injury. A cephalohematoma should absorb naturally; do not rub or massage the hematoma, and avoid drawing blood from the hematoma to prevent infection. If infection leads to an abscess, timely incision and drainage should be performed. It is recommended to actively seek medical examination and treatment based on the size of the hematoma and its healing time.