A scalp swelling present at birth that crosses suture lines and disappears within 24 to 48 hours is most consistent with which birth trauma?

• A. Caput Succedaneum
• B. Cephalohematoma
• C. Subgaleal hemorrhage
• D. Molding

Answer: (A)

This description points to caput succedaneum. It is edema of the scalp’s soft tissues that develops during labor, appears at birth, and readily crosses suture lines because it’s in the subcutaneous layers rather than within the skull bones. It typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours as the extra fluid is reabsorbed. In contrast, cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal collection that remains limited by suture lines and usually takes weeks to resolve; subgaleal hemorrhage involves bleeding under the galea and is more dangerous, often presenting with a fluctuating, extensive swelling that can cross sutures but requires urgent care; molding is simply temporary overlapping of skull bones during delivery and does not present as a persistent edema that crosses sutures.