Can osteopathy help?
Here I would be rather cautious, because the cephalhematoma is a bruise caused by shear forces on the skull. This means that further manipulation can lead to further bruising because the infant’s skull is not completely fused and therefore offers little stability. In individual cases, however, it is possible to discuss with the osteopath what he considers helpful and does not harm the infant.
What are the late effects?
One of the late effects of a cephalic hematoma is ossification of the hematoma margin during healing. This leads to a hardening at the edge of the bruise while a soft depression develops in the middle. At first glance, this characteristic makes the healing bruise easily confused with a depressed fracture of the skull.
Duration
In most cases, the cephalhematoma recedes within a few weeks to months without any further treatment. This process is always dependent on the size of the bruise, as well as on whether there are any other injuries and whether the infant’s coagulation is in a healthy position. The healing of the bruise should be checked by a doctor from time to time.
What complications can arise?
Because a not insignificant amount of blood flows into the hematoma, in some cases anemia develops which must be treated. A massive cephalic hematoma can trigger a so-called “shock“, which can be life-threatening because not enough blood is circulating in the bloodstream. With such pronounced bruising, male newborns in particular should be examined to determine whether a coagulation disorder is partly responsible.
In addition, it must also be checked that no iron deficiency is caused by blood loss, which in turn can lead to anaemia. The breakdown of the stored blood of the hematoma can lead to newborn jaundice. This is another reason why a cephal hematoma should be examined by a doctor and re-examined from time to time.
What is a calcified cephalhematoma?
A calcified cephalhematoma is a process of decomposition of the hematoma. During the healing process, ossification can occur at the edges and a soft depression in the middle. At first glance, this stage is easily confused with a depressed skull fracture. As the healing process progresses, these calcifications dissolve and the cephalhematoma usually heals without consequences.
