Questions?What Is Infant Skull Fracture?
An infant skull fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in a newborn’s skull, often caused by trauma during birth. Newborn skull fractures can range from minor, which heal on their own, to severe, requiring medical intervention.
Unlike adults, infants have soft, flexible skulls that allow them to pass through the birth canal more easily. However, this flexibility can put infants at a higher risk for newborn skull fractures and other birth injuries.
Head injuries are the most common cause of deadly trauma in children, with skull fractures present in up to 20% of cases.
When skull fractures in infants are severe, they may require costly medical treatments. These expenses can place a significant financial burden on families.
As a result, many families choose to seek compensation through a birth injury lawsuit to cover the medical costs and associated expenses.
The Birth Injury Justice Center partners with an extensive network of experienced birth injury law firms that can help families in all 50 states. Together, they have helped families recover over $917 million for preventable injuries, including infant skull fractures.
If your child was harmed, we may be able to connect you with a top birth injury attorney near you.
Find out right now with a free case review.
Causes of Infant Skull Fracture
When an infant skull fracture occurs at birth, it is typically due to trauma during delivery. This trauma can result from both natural childbirth challenges and medical errors.
Medical negligence during childbirth can lead to infant skull fractures when health care providers do not provide the expected level of care.
- Aggressive delivery techniques: Excessive force during delivery can put too much pressure on the infant’s fragile skull
- Difficult or long labor: Prolonged labor exposes the baby’s head to continuous pressure, potentially weakening the skull bones
- Forceps complications: Incorrect or forceful use of forceps (a large tong-like device) can apply uneven pressure on the baby’s head
- Prolonged instrumental birth: Extended use of birth-assisting tools increases the duration of pressure on the head, weakening the skull
- Using instruments too early: Early use of instruments can lead to their improper application, putting undue stress on the baby’s head
- Vacuum extraction complications: Improper use of a vacuum extractor can create intense pressure spots on the baby’s head
Due to the high risk of complications, instrumental births — where the doctor uses tools to maneuver the baby out of the birth canal — are becoming less common.
If your child suffered an infant skull fracture after a traumatic birth, you may be able to access financial support.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if you qualify.
Can an Infant Skull Fracture Be Prevented?
Infant skull fractures can’t always be prevented, but careful monitoring during childbirth and minimizing the use of assisted delivery tools can reduce the risk.
A newborn’s skull is made up of five major bone plates held together by tough, fibrous membranes called sutures. The places where these sutures intersect are called fontanelles or, simply, soft spots.
These gaps and sutures are what allow the bone plates to shift and flex during birth, but they are also areas of extreme vulnerability.
Some cases of infant skull fracture occur during the course of normal labor and are not considered preventable. These fractures are usually mild and often heal without medical intervention.
When this happens, families often file birth injury lawsuits to pursue compensation to help cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and other related costs.
Types of Skull Fractures
There are many different types of skull fractures, each with its own particular dangers and characteristics. However, some are more commonly seen in newborns suffering from traumatic birth injuries than others.
Learn about 4 types of infant skull fractures below.
1. Basilar
A basilar skull fracture is the most severe kind of skull fracture. This type of break occurs in the bone at the back and base of the skull. It can cause bruising around the eyes and behind the ears. Additionally, clear fluid that cushions the brain, known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), may leak from the nose with this type of fracture.
2. Depressed
A depressed fracture is sometimes called a ping-pong fracture because the indent resembles that of a ping-pong ball impression on the infant’s head. The depression or indentation in the skull can put pressure on the brain and lead to complications such as brain damage, seizures, and developmental delays if not properly treated.
A depressed fracture generally heals on its own within 6 months, so physicians usually wait until after that period before performing surgery.
3. Diastatic
Diastatic fractures occur along the sutures between the bone plates. They are common in infants because the bones have not yet fused, leaving these areas particularly vulnerable.
This type of fracture has a high risk of becoming a growing skull fracture — a serious condition in which the brain swells out of the skull through the fracture. Therefore, they must be closely monitored.
4. Linear
This is the most common type of skull fracture. Linear skull fractures in infants are characterized by a straight crack in the bone that does not move the bone itself.
As a result, patients require observation but don’t usually require surgery. Still, there is some risk of developing growing skull fractures or cephalohematoma (buildup of ruptured blood vessels).
Symptoms of an Infant Skull Fracture
Because infant skull fractures can vary so widely in location, severity, and type, the symptoms can also vary greatly.
- Bleeding
- Brain damage
- Bruising
- Listlessness or lack of energy
- Loss of consciousness
- Lump on the skull
- Misshapen appearance of the head
- Pallor (paleness)
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Failure to carefully handle the delicate structures of the infant skull can lead to serious injuries from which children may never fully recover.
While small, linear (straight-line) fractures may heal without major intervention, monitoring all fractures as they heal is always important.
Complications from infant skull fractures can rapidly become serious and even lead to death if left untreated.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has labor and delivery nurses on staff who are here to help. If you have questions about newborn skull fractures, connect with a registered nurse now.
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
How Is an Infant Skull Fracture Diagnosed?
Babies showing symptoms of a skull fracture should be given a complete neurological exam, assessing their symptoms and looking for visible signs of damage.
If there is cause for concern, doctors will usually order imaging tests to look for evidence of fractures, bleeding, and swelling.
Imaging tests used to diagnose infant skull fractures include:
- CT scans
- MRIs
- Ultrasounds
- X-rays
CT scans and X-rays are the most common methods used to diagnose skull fractures in infants. However, there are drawbacks to both procedures. First, exposure to radiation at such a young age can have serious consequences later in life.
Additionally, the sedatives needed to make a child that young hold still while images are taken can also have severe side effects.
MRI and ultrasound imaging both eliminate the threat of radiation, but neither is commonly used. While effective, MRIs may not always be an option during an emergency due to the longer time they take to perform.
On the other hand, while widely available, ultrasound technology has not been as closely studied and may not be as effective as other methods.
Are Infant Skull Fractures Treatable?
An infant skull fracture is treatable, but the methods vary widely depending on the type and severity of the fracture.
Smaller, less serious fractures where there is no injury to the brain may only need monitoring. They will heal with time and without much medical intervention.
However, more serious fractures or fractures of a type likely to lead to brain injury may require additional care.
- Medicines and fluids through an IV
- Oxygen
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Special monitoring in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
Surgery may be used to help repair the skull, drain fluid, and reduce swelling.
In cases where surgical intervention is necessary, more than half of patients need treatment to both repair the skull and manage the results of a traumatic brain injury.
Even with treatment, some children may suffer permanent brain damage. This could mean additional medical care and assistance for the rest of their lives.
Get Legal Help for an Infant Skull Fracture
When health care professionals make mistakes in the delivery room, the results can be catastrophic. Children may end up enduring lifelong physical and intellectual challenges, all stemming from a few moments of excessive or misapplied force.
If your child developed a newborn skull fracture and you suspect it is the result of mistakes made during birth, you may be able to seek compensation.
The Birth Injury Justice Center partners with top personal injury law firms across the country. Together, they have recovered over $917 million for families impacted by preventable birth injuries.
We can help families in all 50 states.
Call (800) 914-1562 right now or get a free case review to find out if you may be able to file a lawsuit for medical negligence during childbirth.
Infant Skull Fracture FAQs
How is a skull fracture treated in infants?
A skull fracture in infants is typically treated based on the severity and type of fracture.
The 4 types of infant skull fractures may be treated as follows:
- Basilar skull fractures: These are the most serious and may require specialized care to monitor for complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage, infections, and nerve damage. Treatment may include antibiotics and possibly surgery.
- Depressed skull fractures: If the fracture is pressing on the brain, surgery may be required to lift the bone back into place.
- Diastatic skull fractures: These fractures occur along the suture lines in the skull and may require monitoring for signs of brain injury or other complications.
- Linear fractures: These usually heal on their own with time. The infant may need pain relief and regular monitoring for signs of complications.
Regular follow-ups with a pediatrician are essential to ensure proper healing and to monitor for any potential issues.
How do I know if a baby's skull is fractured?
Here’s what you need to know about identifying and treating skull fractures in infants.
To know if a baby’s skull is fractured, look for the following signs:
- Any unusual shape or dent on the baby’s head
- Difficulty in feeding or changes in sleep patterns
- Excessive crying, irritability, or lethargy
- Noticeable swelling or bruising on the scalp
- Vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness
If you suspect a skull fracture, seek medical attention immediately. A doctor will conduct a physical examination and may order imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans to confirm the diagnosis.
If your child suffered from a newborn skull fracture or other head trauma during childbirth, medical malpractice may have played a role.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center at (800) 914-1562 right now to find out if we can help.
How serious is a skull fracture in a baby?
A skull fracture in a baby can range from minor to severe. Minor fractures, like linear fractures, often heal on their own without causing long-term problems.
However, more severe fractures, such as depressed skull fractures, can lead to complications like brain injury, bleeding, or infection.
It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect an infant skull fracture, as prompt treatment can prevent serious complications and ensure the best possible outcome for your child.
How long does a skull fracture take to heal in a newborn?
A skull fracture in a newborn typically takes about 6 to 12 weeks to heal. The exact duration can vary depending on the type and severity of the fracture.
Minor fractures, such as linear fractures, may heal faster, while more severe fractures might take longer and require additional medical attention.
Regular follow-up with a health care provider is essential to monitor the healing process and address any complications.
