Osteomyelitis Secondary to Infected Cephalhematoma in a Female Neonate: A Case Report and Clinical Insights

Cephalhematomas are subperiosteal collections of blood resulting from birth trauma. Usually benign, they tend to resolve spontaneously within a few weeks; however, on rare occasions, they may develop an infection, which can lead to complications such as sepsis, meningitis, and osteomyelitis. Patients present with nonspecific symptoms, making it difficult and crucial to diagnose and treat them promptly. Across literature, there have been limited reports of infected cephalhematomas leading to osteomyelitis, and all such cases have mentioned the involvement of the parietal bone. We present the case of osteomyelitis secondary to an infected cephalhematoma in a female neonate, along with detailed insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the patient. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of the disease, which, in our patient, was first noted on the 5th day of life and properly diagnosed on the 29th day of life, and multidisciplinary treatment in preventing possibly fatal complications.