Question
A newborn has a blood clot the size of an egg on the left upper side of their head at birth. I want to know what causes this condition, what effects it may have, and how long it might take for it to disappear naturally?
Answer
A newborn’s intracranial hematoma is typically caused by birth injuries due to pressure during the birthing process and is not directly related to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is usually caused by perinatal hypoxia, such as maternal hypertension during pregnancy, umbilical cord entanglement, placental abruption, or neonatal asphyxia after birth. It is advised that convulsions and cyanosis are symptoms of neonatal hypoxia. If forceps or vacuum extractors were used during labor, there may also be intracranial hematoma or brain hypoxia. Additionally, it is necessary to rule out seizures caused by low calcium levels in infants, and calcium supplementation may be required if necessary.