P12.9: Birth injury to scalp, unspecified
Birth injury to the scalp, unspecified, is a type of physical harm that occurs to a newborn's scalp during labor and delivery. This may include minor abrasions or cuts caused by the use of birthing instruments such as forceps or a vacuum extractor, or even the natural passage of the baby through the birth canal. Other times, there may be more serious injuries such as hematomas (blood pools under the skin) or fractures to the skull. The injury may present as a swollen area, a bruise, or an obvious laceration or injury on the baby's scalp. The presence and severity of symptoms can vary widely and may not be present immediately after birth, but may emerge within the first few days of life. This injury does not usually carry persistent consequences if properly treated and monitored, but in some cases can lead to complications and warrants immediate examination by a healthcare provider.
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