Learning About Subgaleal Hemorrhage in Newborns

This is general information about subgaleal hemorrhage. It does not replace advice or treatment from your baby’s healthcare provider.

Your baby's healthcare team has a lot of experience caring for babies with this type of condition. It’s important to follow their advice and ask questions if you’re unsure about your baby’s care.

Every baby is different. If you’re worried about your baby at any time, get medical help right away.

What is a subgaleal hemorrhage?

A subgaleal hemorrhage is bleeding that happens under a baby’s scalp. Blood collects in a space between the scalp and the skull bones. This space is larger than it looks, and there can be a lot of bleeding, which can be serious.

This condition is rare. When it is found early and treated right away, most babies recover well.

What are the causes?

A subgaleal hemorrhage can happen when a baby’s head is under extra pressure during birth. This may happen with:

• a long or difficult birth
• use of a vacuum or forceps during birth

It is not caused by anything parents did or did not do during pregnancy or birth.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a subgaleal hemorrhage can appear soon after birth or in the first hours of life. Some babies may look well at first, so ongoing monitoring is important.

Common symptoms of a subgaleal hemorrhage may include:

• swelling on the scalp that feels soft or moves when touched
• swelling that slowly spreads across the head
• a growing head size
• pale or yellow skin
• being very sleepy or hard to wake up
• very fast breathing or heartbeat

How is it diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose a subgaleal hemorrhage by carefully examining your baby and watching for changes over time. To diagnose this condition, they may:

• check your baby’s head and overall health
• measure your baby’s head size regularly
• monitor your baby’s heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure
• do blood tests
• do imaging tests (such as ultrasound) if needed

Diagnosing a subgaleal hemorrhage early helps the healthcare team treat your baby quickly and safely.

How is it treated?

If your baby has a subgaleal hemorrhage, they will be cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The NICU team is made up of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. They are specially trained to treat and care for babies like yours.

Treatment for a subgaleal hemorrhage may include:

• giving your baby vitamin K to lower the risk of severe bleeding
• checking your baby’s head size and vital signs (like temperature and heart rate) often
• doing blood tests
• giving your baby I.V. fluids, where your baby gets fluids through a vein
• doing blood transfusions, if your baby needs them

Your baby’s healthcare team will explain what care your baby needs and why they need it.

The birth parent may be able to go home (be discharged) while baby stays in the hospital for treatment.

Why is vitamin K recommended for newborns?

Vitamin K is recommended for all newborns in the first 6 hours after birth to lower their risk of severe bleeding.

Vitamin K helps blood clot. Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K, which puts them at risk of bleeding inside the body until they are about 6 months old.

Learn more about vitamin K for newborns.

What can I expect after a subgaleal hemorrhage?

Recovery

Many babies recover well when a subgaleal hemorrhage is found early and treated right away. Swelling usually gets better over time as their body reabsorbs the blood.

Hospital stay

Your baby may need to stay in the hospital for several days so the healthcare team can watch them closely. They may also need to have extra tests.

At home

Your baby can be more tired after being unwell in the hospital. Over time, they will become more alert and feed as they usually would.

Follow-up

Your baby may need to have extra tests and follow-up visits after they go home.

Be sure to take your baby to all their regular growth and development checks with their healthcare provider. This helps to make sure your baby is doing well.

When should I call for help?

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right with your baby, it’s always OK to get help.

Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 right away if your baby:

• has a fast heartbeat that doesn’t settle
• has trouble breathing or is breathing very fast
• is very hard to wake up or is not responding
• looks very pale, weak, or unwell

Call your baby's healthcare provider or Health Link at 811 if you have any concerns about your baby, such as:

• not feeding or refusing to feed
• swelling on their head that is getting bigger

To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_subgaleal_hemorrhage_inst.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: March 25, 2026

Author: Provincial Perinatal group, Women’s Health

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.