The baby's head shows a poorly defined, soft mass across the top that will resolve over the next few days. What is this assessment finding called?

The baby's head shows a poorly defined, soft mass across the top that will resolve over the next few days. What is this assessment finding called?

• A. Moulding
• B. Cephalohematoma
• C. Caput succedaneum
• D. Mongolian spot

Answer: (C)

Caput succedaneum is diffuse swelling of the scalp due to edema from the pressure of the presenting part during vaginal delivery. It presents as a poorly defined, soft mass that can cross the suture lines and typically resolves on its own within a few days. This distinguishes it from cephalohematoma, which is a well-defined collection of blood beneath the periosteum that does not cross sutures and may take weeks to resolve, and from moulding, which refers to temporary changes in the skull shape rather than a soft scalp mass. Mongolian spots are pigmented skin lesions and not related to the scalp mass.

Caput succedaneum is diffuse swelling of the scalp due to edema from the pressure of the presenting part during vaginal delivery. It presents as a poorly defined, soft mass that can cross the suture lines and typically resolves on its own within a few days. This distinguishes it from cephalohematoma, which is a well-defined collection of blood beneath the periosteum that does not cross sutures and may take weeks to resolve, and from moulding, which refers to temporary changes in the skull shape rather than a soft scalp mass. Mongolian spots are pigmented skin lesions and not related to the scalp mass.