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Fontanelles
Fontanelles ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a newborn’s head and notices a swelling on the right parietal area.
The nurse suspects that this is a cephalohematoma.
What is the most likely cause of this condition?
A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp of a newborn that forms a bulge.It is caused by rupture of blood vessels crossing the periosteum due to pressure or trauma on the fetal head during birth.This pressure or trauma may result from a prolonged second stage of labor, instrumental delivery, particularly forceps delivery, ventouse application, or the baby’s head squeezing through the birth canal.
Infection is not a cause of cephalohematoma, but a potential complication that may occur in some cases.
Dehydration is not a cause of cephalohematoma, but a possible consequence of anemia, which may result from blood loss.
Hemorrhage is not a cause of cephalohematoma, but a synonym for bleeding, which is what happens when the blood vessels rupture.
Birth trauma. A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp of a newborn that forms a bulge. It is caused by rupture of blood vessels crossing the periosteum due to pressure or trauma on the fetal head during birth. This pressure or trauma may result from a prolonged second stage of labor, instrumental delivery, particularly forceps delivery, ventouse application, or the baby’s head squeezing through the birth canal.
Choice B is wrong because infection is not a cause of cephalohematoma, but a potential complication that may occur in some cases.
Choice C is wrong because dehydration is not a cause of cephalohematoma, but a possible consequence of anemia, which may result from blood loss.
Choice D is wrong because hemorrhage is not a cause of cephalohematoma, but a synonym for bleeding, which is what happens when the blood vessels rupture.
Normal ranges for newborn cephalohematoma are not applicable, as it is an abnormal condition that varies in size and severity. However, most cephalohematomas resolve on their own without intervention within weeks or months.