cephalohematoma

Say what? Cephalohematoma.

Only a small handful of my peeps knew that Gavin was going to see Pediatric Neuro-Surgeon today. I didn't share the news with many people because I didn't want to get all worked up and worried, when I really didn't know what the problem was.

Gavin has had two medium-large sized bumps on his the upper back part of his head since birth. They were once soft and now they have hardened. Soon after Gavin was born, our Pediatrician told us that it was caput succedaneum from the vacuum extraction and that they would go away in a couple weeks. When we went back for his 1 month appointment she again said it caput succedaneum. The bumps were still there at his 2 month appointment and I wasn't going to accept that diagnosis again until I heard it from a different doctor. A specialist. An expert.

So today we went to see Dr. Muhonen, a Pediatric Neuro-Surgeon at CHOC. He took one look at Gavin's head and said it was Cephalohematoma which can be caused by vacuum extraction. It is purely a cosmetic problem. He said it can can take up to a year for the bumps to break down and disappear. Dr. Muhonen said that Gavin has no pain from the bumps and that he is a very normal, active & alert baby. Phew!

I am so happy to report that my little baby boy is happy AND healthy!