Vacuum extraction, bone injury and neonatal subgaleal bleeding

• Published in: European journal of pediatrics 1992-07, Vol.151 (7), p.532-535
• Main Authors: GOVAERT, P, VANHAESEBROUCK, P, DE PRAETER, C, MOENS, K, LEROY, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Birth Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Birth Injuries - etiology; Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Hemorrhage - etiology; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Disorders; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Hemorrhage - etiology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Scalp - blood supply; Scalp - diagnostic imaging; Skull - diagnostic imaging; Skull - injuries; Skull Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Skull Fractures - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0340-6199; 1432-1076
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01957762

In a population of 27 flemish newborns with subgaleal bleeding encountered within a period of 6 years, we studied the obstetrical, clinical and radiological data. In contrast with controversial findings from the available literature, there is little doubt that difficult, often elective vacuum extraction is the main cause of this neonatal emergency. Disturbances in haemostasis, when documented, were attributed to focal intrahaematoma consumption, except for one boy who presented with haemophilia and neonatal subgaleal bleeding. Conventional X-ray examination continues to be of importance for the documentation of suture diastasis, fissures and fractures. CT scan reveals both the amount of extra-osseous bleeding, the degree of bone displacement and injury as well as the type and extent of associated intracranial damage. Subgaleal haemorrhage rarely hides a growing synchrondrosal rupture.