Which condition involves blood collection between the periosteum and the skull with clearly demarcated edges confined by suture lines?

• A. Caput succedaneum
• B. Cephalhematoma
• C. Subgaleal hemorrhage
• D. Subdural hematoma

Answer: (B)

Subperiosteal hematoma, known clinically as cephalhematoma, is a collection of blood between the skull bone and its periosteum after birth trauma. The periosteum is firmly attached at the suture lines, so the blood is confined to a single bone and forms a well-defined, sharply demarcated edge that does not cross sutures. This feature—clearly bounded by the sutures—distinguishes it from other neonatal scalp injuries. Caput succedaneum is diffuse scalp edema that can cross sutures, while a subgaleal hemorrhage occurs in the potential space under the galea and can extend across the scalp, not limited by sutures. Cephalhematoma typically appears within hours to days after birth and gradually resolves over weeks to months, with monitoring for anemia or hyperbilirubinemia if significant hemolysis occurs.