Neonatal Subgaleal Hematoma from Trauma During Vaginal Delivery without Instrument Use
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Lucy Y Liu1, Richard J Antaya2,3
1School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
Neonatal subgaleal hematomas (SGHs) are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of vacuum extraction deliveries. We report a rare case of four enlarging SGHs in an 11-day-old boy born without use of instruments during delivery. It is likely that trauma from the provider's fingers caused these SGHs during a normal vaginal delivery. Ultrasound findings confirmed the diagnosis of SGH, distinct from other birth trauma such as cephalohematoma or caput succedaneum.
Neonatal subgaleal hematomas (SGHs) are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of vacuum extraction deliveries. We report a rare case of four enlarging SGHs in an 11-day-old boy born without use of instruments during delivery. It is likely that trauma from the provider's fingers caused these SGHs during a normal vaginal delivery. Ultrasound findings confirmed the diagnosis of SGH, distinct from other birth trauma such as cephalohematoma or caput succedaneum.

