A newborn delivered by ventouse has a soft scalp swelling that crosses suture lines and was present at birth. Which single description fits this finding?

Answer: B. Caput succedaneum (or chignon), which crosses suture lines and resolves quickly

Caput/chignon versus cephalhaematoma

Two scalp swellings are distinguished by their relationship to suture lines and timing.

Caput succedaneum (and the vacuum 'chignon')

• A soft tissue (oedematous) swelling of the scalp.
• Crosses suture lines, is present at birth, and resolves quickly (often within about 24-48 hours).
• The chignon is the caput-like swelling produced by the vacuum cup.

Cephalhaematoma (contrast)

• A subperiosteal collection that is limited by suture lines, appears after birth (hours later), and resolves over weeks (can cause jaundice).

This swelling crossing sutures and present at birth is caput/chignon.