cephalhematoma /sef′əlhē′mətō″mə, -hem′ətō″mə/ , swelling caused by subcutaneous bleeding and accumulation of blood. It may begin to form in the scalp of a fetus during labor and enlarge slowly in the first few days after birth. It is usually a result of trauma, often caused by forceps or vacuum-assisted births. Also spelled cephalhaematoma. Compare caput succedaneum, molding.
