Examination of the head, including the circumference of the head and assessment of the location and characteristics of any swelling (Table 1), should be repeated hourly if concerns are present. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Moderate to severe presentations occur in 1.5 of 10,000 live births. It most commonly occurs after vacuum-assisted and forceps delivery, but may also be seen following head trauma or occur spontaneously. [radiopaedia.org]

If your healthcare provider used a vacuum extractor to help deliver your baby, they’ll be closely monitored in the nursery even if they don’t present any immediate physical signs of a subgaleal hemorrhage because blood accumulation in the subgaleal area [my.clevelandclinic.org]

• Swelling

  Swelling on their head that has a liquid-like movement (boggy swelling) due to internal bleeding. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  The presence of fluctuance early on, whether or not the swelling is progressive, is an important distinguishing feature of subgaleal hemorrhage. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Internal Bleeding

  Swelling on their head that has a liquid-like movement (boggy swelling) due to internal bleeding. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

• Tachycardia

  On examination, there may be tachycardia and/or hypotonia. A fluctuant scalp mass with increasing head circumference may be seen on palpation. As the potential space extends into the neck, a subgaleal hematoma may also extend into the neck. [radiopaedia.org]

  Fast heart rate (tachycardia). Low blood pressure. Pale skin tone (pallor). Reduced levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit in their blood due to major blood loss. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

• Skin Discoloration

  discoloration that indicates tissue damage can happen over time (within an hour to 72 hours after your baby is born). [my.clevelandclinic.org]

• Fracture

  In patients with intracranial hemorrhage or skull fractures, the incidence of subgaleal hemorrhage is increased 4. Signs include pallor on inspection. On examination, there may be tachycardia and/or hypotonia. [radiopaedia.org]

  Letture Consigliate Anderson LD, D’Alonzo RT (1974) Fractures of the odontoid process of the axis. [link.springer.com]

  Postmortem examination confirmed a massive subgaleal hemorrhage, with several diastatic fractures and anoxic-ischemic changes within the brain. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Scalp Mass

  A fluctuant scalp mass with increasing head circumference may be seen on palpation. As the potential space extends into the neck, a subgaleal hematoma may also extend into the neck. [radiopaedia.org]

• Fear

  Appears confused, fearful or anxious. Seizures normally last between 30 seconds and two minutes. Any seizure lasting more than five minutes is a medical emergency, and you should call 911 immediately, especially if your child has trouble breathing. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Rarely, they become chronic and exceptionally they may require surgical treatment. [revistaneurocirugia.com]

Increased awareness of subgaleal hemorrhage should lead to earlier identification, referral and treatment, with resultant improved outcomes. Footnotes This article has been peer reviewed. Competing interests: None declared. Correspondence to: Dr. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Etiology Bleeding occurs as a result of rupture to emissary veins which drain the scalp veins into the dural sinuses. [radiopaedia.org]