- a collection of blood UNDER the periosteum of the outer surface of the skull
- occurs in 2.5% of live births
- most commonly occurs ove the parietal bones
- because the blood is below the periosteum, it will NOT cross suture lines
- usually enlarge during the first few days of life, then slowly resolve over weeks or months
- significant bleeding is a risk
- when the blood resorbs, it can aggravate neonatal jaundice
- aspiration and xrays are not routinely indicated