The condition of cephalohematoma is not any more serious than caput succedaneum and both conditions are rarely serious and resolve on their own.
The difference between caput succedaneum and cephalohematoma is caput succedaneum causes edema also known as swelling on the top of the scalp which is most often noticeable at birth and causes the scalp to feel spongy, cause cross suture lines and goes down soon after birth and cephalohematoma is the buildup of blood or a hemorrhage underneath the newborn baby's scalp which also tends to go away after birth.
The cephalohematoma goes away eventually as the blood buildup drains out naturally within a few weeks to a few months.
The length of time it takes for a cephalohematoma to resolve is a few weeks to a few months.
The cephalohematoma is generally harmless and goes away even without treatment.
The symptoms of cephalohematoma are vomiting, soft spots on head (bulging fontanel) seizures, large head, high pitched crying, head swelling, fatigue and difficulty feeding.
The main symptom of a cephalohematoma is a protrusion or bulge in the back of a baby's head which forms soon after birth.
At first the bulge (which is the pool of internal blood) will feel soft to the touch.
Gradually the pooled blood under the scalp will begin to calcify and the bulge will get harder and denser.
Preemies have puffy eyes as a result of ROP which causes blood vessels in the preemies eyes to grow abnormally and spread through the retina.
Most infants exhibit some degree of eyelid edema after birth.
The puffiness may make it seem that the infant has difficulty opening one or both eyes, but with a gentle examination, the eye can be easily evaluated.
Edema in newborns resolves over the first few days of life.
The reason NICU babies look swollen is because of the fluids that are administered in the NICU which causes edema in the baby.
Edema is very common in premature babies because the premature baby's circulatory systems and urinary system are not developed fully.
As a result premature babies have a higher water content than full term babies do which leads to the swelling.
A newborn's face may look quite puffy or even distorted due to fluid buildup and their trip through the birth canal.
This often changes a lot during the first few days as the baby gets rid of the extra fluid, while that folded ear, flattened nose, or crooked jaw usually comes back into place over time.
The earlier your baby is born, the smaller they'll be with sharper features, and their head will appear larger in comparison to their bodies.
Preemies also have very little body fat which will make their skin seem thinner and more transparent.
This is normal. You might also notice that your little one is a bit furry.
Children who were admitted to NICUs as babies are twice as likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems, including ADHD, phobias, and separation anxiety.
Nearly all low birthweight babies need specialized care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until they gain weight and are well enough to go home.
Fortunately, there is a 95 percent chance of survival for babies weighing between 3 pounds, 5 ounces, and 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
Babies weighing less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces (1,500 grams) at birth are considered very low birth weight.
Low birth weight is most often caused by premature birth.
Nearly all low-birth-weight babies need special care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they gain weight and are well enough to go home.
Common conditions that are treated in premature babies in the NICU include.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
Jaundice.
Keeping warm.
Macrosomia.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
Sepsis.
If your baby is very small or sick, you might not be able to hold them yet – but you can still touch them.
Just like any baby, your baby in the NICU needs the comfort of human touch.
But you do need to be very careful and gentle when you touch sick or premature babies.