The bones inside our bodies are covered by a dense, skin-like material known as periosteum. Periosteum adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of all the bones in the body. Cephalohematoma is a condition in which blood pools and collects under the periosteum.
This condition is typically a complication of childbirth. The immense forces applied during childbirth can rupture blood vessels and damage tissue, which can cause a cephalohematoma to form under a newborn’s scalp. In addition, when a physician applies forceps or a vacuum to assist with the baby’s delivery, small blood vessels under the periosteum can burst and form pools of blood around outside of the baby’s skull.
These childbirth-caused cephalohematomas can lead to:
- anemia, if the blood collection is substantial
- jaundice, which occurs when the baby’s underdeveloped liver can’t process all of the old red blood cells after the body tries to reabsorb the blood that pooled in the bruise. An infant who has jaundice may require phototherapy as treatment for this condition.
- infection that develops in the pooled blood
- calcium deposits that form in the pool of blood if it remains there too long, resulting in an unsightly, hard bump
This condition can lead to substantial complications in the fragile first few months of a baby’s life. Anemia, infections, or jaundice can pose life-threatening scenarios to babies and small children. If not properly diagnosed and treated during the weeks following childbirth, a cephalohematoma may impact a child’s development and lead to long-term health complications.
Childbirth Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one suspects that your child experienced any complications during childbirth that resulted in a cephalohematoma, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today. You may have a legitimate claim to compensation for any harm your baby experienced due to negligence or malpractice.
At Goldberg & Osborne, our childbirth injury attorneys work diligently on behalf of our clients. Please feel free to fill out our brief [online claim form] to start the process, and one of our attorneys will provide a FREE evaluation of your claim. During this evaluation, an attorney will examine the circumstances surrounding the birth of your child to determine if you have a legitimate claim.
Our experienced childbirth injury attorneys can help you:
- get through this tough time by gathering the necessary evidence needed to evaluate and support your claim.
- recover the compensation you deserve for medical bills and your baby’s pain and suffering.
- reclaim a sense of control and dignity by fighting for your family’s rights, while staying sensitive to your personal needs and confidentiality during this difficult time.
Contact us now to have your case evaluated by a dedicated, experienced childbirth injury attorney – completely free of charge. You must act now to protect your rights! Call us today or submit your information through our simple, secure, online case form below. We will respond to your inquiry and determine how we can help you.
