Massive subaponeurotic haemorrhage in babies of African origin

Abstract

Five babies of African origin sustained massive haemorrhage into the soft areolar tissue beneath the epicranial aponeurosis during the first 48 hours of life. 4 required large blood transfusions. The amount of blood lost in ml. corresponded well with the formula (equation presenet), where C is the actual and CEX the expected head circumference in cm. The blood loss is approximately 38 ml. for each cm. by which the actual head circumference exceeds that expected. Blood losses amounted to one-quarter to over one-half the total blood volume.