What Is Subgaleal Hematoma?
A subgaleal hematoma is a rare complication that occurs during or shortly after childbirth. A baby with this condition develops bleeding in the space between the scalp and cranium. Subgaleal hematomas occur most commonly when the doctor uses a vacuum extractor to assist in a baby’s delivery.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Subgaleal Hematoma?
When a subgaleal hematoma occurs, it usually presents with swelling on the crown of the head. The hematoma doesn’t always appear immediately. In some cases, it can take as long as three days for the swelling to become noticeable. If the condition is misdiagnosed or goes unnoticed, the child may develop serious complications, including shock, seizures, respiratory distress, intracranial hemorrhage, anemia and even death.
Most subgaleal hematomas can be prevented by the doctor. In order to keep subgaleal hematomas from developing, doctors must make sure that the vacuum extractor is correctly position on the child’s head during assisted deliveries. Medical personnel should also monitor babies delivered by a vacuum extractor for several days following the birth. When hematomas are discovered, doctors should treat them using pressure wrapping, blood transfusions and/or round-the-clock monitoring.
A Birth Injury Lawyer
When doctors fail to deliver the baby properly and/or treat hematomas that occur, they may be liable for any lasting damage done to the child. If you hire a lawyer, he or she can review the medical case, conduct research on the personnel involved and determine whether the doctor or hospital is responsible for your child’s condition. If the attorney finds that medical personnel did not use the vacuum extractor appropriately and/or failed to monitor or treat your child’s subgaleal hematoma according to protocol, you may be entitled to compensation.
Find an Attorney for Your Case
Our website is the first of its kind to offer real courtroom statistics on lawyers. You can use those statistics to determine the quality of a lawyer and find an experienced birth injury lawyer. If you are looking for a qualified lawyer who handles birth injury cases, including subgaleal hematoma cases, you can begin your research here on our website. If you need any additional help beyond our lawyer statistics, please don’t hesitate to contact us for further assistance.
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