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Warning-sign checks

Aplasia cutis congenita: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for heavy or rapidly recurring bleeding, bleeding that does not stop with gentle direct pressure as instructed, trouble breathing, unresponsiveness, or a seizure.

    These are emergency concerns rather than symptoms to wait on until a routine appointment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the baby’s healthcare team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, odor, tenderness, or wound opening.

    A fever in a young infant needs immediate medical advice.

    Clear fluid leaking from a deep scalp lesion, a new bulge or pulsation, unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, repeated vomiting, or seizure-like movements also require urgent assessment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up checks whether the wound is closing, the dressing plan is working, and the baby is feeding and growing normally.

    The healthcare team may photograph or measure the lesion to track healing.

    Follow-up can also address scar care, hair loss, skull growth, and whether further imaging or surgery is needed.

    Ask when bathing, tummy time, hats, car-seat head supports, and other routine activities are safe.

The article also says

Keep scheduled appointments even when the area appears better.

A thin layer of new skin may remain easy to injure.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Aplasia cutis congenita. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.