Patient's question:
A newborn has a soft lump on the right temple, is it a birth tumor that requires a Cesarean section? What kind of help is needed: Will it naturally resolve, and if so, how long will it take to disappear?Doctor's answer:
Edema of the scalp, also known as, is a subcutaneous edema caused by repeated compression of the scalp circulation during labor, changes in vascular permeability, and obstruction of lymphatic drainage. It commonly occurs in the occiput presentation area.Recommendation:
It can be detected immediately after birth. The mass has indistinct boundaries and is not affected by the sutures. The scalp appears red, swollen, soft, and indentable under pressure, with no rebound sensation. It typically disappears within 2-3 days.
Sometimes it coexists with a hematoma, and the hematoma may only become apparent after the scalp edema subsides.