Which finding in a newborn's scalp is described as diffuse edema crossing the suture lines?

• A. Molding
• B. Hemangioma
• C. Cephalohematoma
• D. Caput succedaneum

Answer: (D)

Caput succedaneum is diffuse swelling of the scalp from edematous fluid that accumulates in the subcutaneous tissues during labor. Because it involves the scalp soft tissues rather than the skull bones themselves, the edema can cross sutures, spreading across the entire scalp. It is typically present at birth and resolves on its own within a few days without treatment. This crossing of suture lines is what sets it apart from other scalp findings.

Cephalohematoma, by contrast, is a collection of blood beneath the periosteum and remains limited by suture lines, often appearing hours after birth and taking weeks to resolve. Molding refers to temporary overlapping of the skull bones that can alter head shape but does not describe diffuse scalp edema crossing sutures. A capillary hemangioma is a vascular birthmark, not edema, and does not present as diffuse swelling crossing sutures.