Neonatology: birth trauma: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Neonatology: birth trauma

Sample item

A newborn delivered by vacuum extraction shows a soft scalp swelling over the right parietal bone that was absent at birth and is enlarging on day 2. The swelling does not cross the midline suture. What is the diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cephalohaematoma

A cephalohaematoma is a subperiosteal bleed that appears hours after birth, is limited by suture lines and resolves in weeks. Caput succedaneum is present at birth, pits on pressure and crosses sutures. Subgaleal haemorrhage spreads widely across sutures and can cause shock.

Option by option

  • A. Subgaleal haemorrhage

    Subgaleal haemorrhage is not limited by sutures and may extend to the neck and ears.

  • B. Cephalohaematoma (correct)

    Correct. A subperiosteal collection confined by the suture that enlarges after birth is cephalohaematoma.

  • C. Caput succedaneum

    Caput succedaneum is maximal at birth and crosses suture lines.

  • D. Encephalocele

    Encephalocele is a midline congenital defect and is not associated with vacuum delivery.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Cephalohaematoma. A cephalohaematoma is a subperiosteal bleed that appears hours after birth, is limited by suture lines and resolves in weeks.

Why is "Subgaleal haemorrhage" not the answer?

Subgaleal haemorrhage is not limited by sutures and may extend to the neck and ears.

Why is "Caput succedaneum" not the answer?

Caput succedaneum is maximal at birth and crosses suture lines.

Why is "Encephalocele" not the answer?

Encephalocele is a midline congenital defect and is not associated with vacuum delivery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: birth trauma in Pediatrics. Caput succedaneum is present at birth, pits on pressure and crosses sutures. Subgaleal haemorrhage spreads widely across sutures and can cause shock.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neonatology: birth trauma?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.