Hello, I m writing to inquire about a lump that appeared on my daughter s forhead a week after her birth - twin, c-section birth (her brother has no lumps). The lump started as a small red fleck and grew quickly - now is M&M sized, mushy with a red birthmark. She is 10 months old now and acts normal and falling into place with all the milestones - laughs, smiles and doesn t seem to have any pain. I was told not to worry - it would grow and then shrink around age 2 - my pediatrician seems confident as she said it was a collection of vessels. Should I be worried, what should I watch for, and/or are these lumps common with twin births / C-section? Thanks
Hello, I appreciate your concern. From what you've described, your pediatrician was absolutely right in saying that it is a collection of vessels, called a hematoma, and is not rare (seen in 5 to 10% of babies). She was also right in saying it shrinks around two to five years of age (50% disappear by 5 years of age and 90% by 9 years). Answers to your questions:1. You need not be worried as complications are very, very rare.2. Watch out for bleeding from the swelling(if she bumps her head), any ulcer-like lesion, and hoarseness of voice or difficulty breathing (which may indicate a hematoma in her airway)3. These lumps are more common with preterm births, and twins, but have nothing to do with C-section. Hope this helps!