Cephalohematoma is best described as a hematoma located where?

• A. Parietal hematoma from birthing process
• B. Caput succedaneum
• C. Fractured clavicle
• D. Subgaleal hemorrhage

Answer: (A)

Cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal hematoma of the skull, typically affecting the parietal bone, that results from birth-related trauma. Because the blood is beneath the periosteum, the swelling is confined to one bone and does not cross the suture lines. This distinguishes it from caput succedaneum, which is superficial scalp edema that spreads across sutures. Subgaleal hemorrhage involves bleeding into a potential space beneath the galea and can be diffuse and cross sutures, while a fractured clavicle is a bone injury, not a scalp hematoma.