Subgaleal haematoma due to hair pulling: Review of the literature

To identify all cases of subgaleal haematoma (SGH) as a result of non-abusive hair straightening or pulling without evidence of blunt trauma or coagulopathy.

We conducted a search in the English-language literature of all cases of SGH in children. We excluded those in neonates, those in which the child was abused by a caregiver, those in which blunt trauma was not excluded, and those in which a coagulopathy or other blood dyscrasia was found.

Sixteen cases were identified in children from a range of ages. Time to presentation ranged from several days to a week and a half. In most cases, management is conservative, though SGH can cause fever, symptomatic anaemia and can threaten vision.

Subgaleal haematoma can occur in otherwise healthy children, can accumulate slowly and can result in sequelae. However, most cases of SGH are managed conservatively.