User:Lamboozled/Chignon (medical term)

Lead
A chignon (artificial caput succedaneum) is a temporary swelling caused by a build-up of bloody fluid left on an infant's head after he or she has been delivered by vacuum extraction. It anatomically resembles regular caput succcedaneum, one of two most frequently occurring birth injuries to the head, the other being cephalohematoma. During vacuum extraction, the cup is attached to the infant's head, exposing the infant to trauma due to the vacuum pressure and pulling force involved in the procedure.

It should begin to resolve within an hour, but it may take between 12 to 18 hours to completely disappear. There are no long-term consequences for the newborn, but as with all birth traumas, it is recommended to be attended to and monitored.

Causes and Appearance
A chignon is firm and can cross suture lines, and it is often circular in appearance due to the shape of the suction cap.

Chignon versus Caput Succedaneum
While a chignon and caput succedaneum are anatomically the same, a chignon is induced by the suction cup used during a vacuum extraction, while a true caput succedaneum is a natural buildup of fluid caused by the pressure induced when the infant's head passes through its mother's cervix. A chignon always involves a buildup of serosanguinous fluid, but a caput succedaneum can involve either serosanguineous or hemorrhagic fluid.

Chignon versus Subgaleal Hemorrhage
Unlike a chignon with no long-term consequences, a subgaleal hemorrhage is a more severe instance of trauma caused by vacuum delivery in which blood accumulates within the subgaleal space, the space between the skull and the skin of the scalp. While subgaleal hemorrhage is a rare complication, it is considered lethal.

Chignon versus Cephalohematoma
Chignon and cephalohematoma are both relatively common birth injuries occurring to the newborn's head during vacuum delivery. Cephalohematoma and chignon are considered to pose no long-term consequences on a newborn's health. A cephalohematoma, in particular, is where blood vessels rupture in the periosteum (a membrane layer covering bone exterior) leading to blood accumulating in the subperiosteal space. While the chignon may cross suture lines, cranial sutures are the boundaries for cephalohematoma.

Management
In most cases, chignons heal on their own within a couple of days postpartum and do not necessitate medical treatment. However, it's still necessary to keep an eye out during the healing process in case of any possible complications. In any case, both communicating with and updating healthcare personnel are advised; parents or caretakers are encouraged to immediately report any changes or signs of worsening.