TCRN Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep for Your Test

Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the skull and the periosteum, often resulting from delivery trauma in newborns. One significant complication associated with cephalohematoma is the risk of skull fractures. These fractures can occur due to the pressure exerted during childbirth, particularly in cases of prolonged labor or aggressive delivery maneuvers. The presence of a cephalohematoma raises concerns for potential underlying skull injuries, as the forces that lead to the hematoma may also cause fractures.

In contrast, while subdural hematomas can arise from trauma, they are more indicative of shaken baby syndrome or severe head trauma rather than being a direct complication of cephalohematoma itself. Ruptured spleen and loss of consciousness are not directly linked to cephalohematoma and would indicate other types of injury or trauma not specifically associated with this condition. Thus, the association between cephalohematoma and fractured skull arises from the mechanisms of injury during birth and the physiological changes that occur in the neonatal skull.