Posterior fossa subdural hematoma in a neonate with cleidocranial dysostosis after a spontaneous vaginal delivery: a case report

Background: Cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD) is an anomaly characterized by delayed closure of the cranial sutures, midface hypoplasia, moderately short stature, hypoplastic or aplastic clavicles, dental abnormalities, and other complications.

Case presentation: We report a case of posterior fossa subdural hematoma (PFSDH) after vaginal delivery in a neonate with CCD, which presented with several clinical symptoms such as apnea, vomiting, and bradycardia. Our patient, who had a family history of CCD, developed apnea and vomiting shortly after birth; PFSDH was detected by head computed tomography, and the patient recovered well following standard medical treatment.

Conclusion: The prognosis of intracranial hemorrhage in neonates with CCD is generally poor. In neonates, PFSDH occurs by the following mechanism: the distortion of the infant's cranium during delivery, by the strong force, causes elongation of the falx and angulation of the tentorium that leads to tears in the posterior fossa venous structures, which then cause bleeding into the subdural space. In CCD, the forces occurring during vaginal delivery may causeexcessive distortion of the fragile skull. An awareness of CCD is hence important to avoid vaginal delivery in prenatally diagnosed CCD cases with a family history of CCD.

Keywords: Cleidocranial dysplasia; Neonatal; Subdural hematoma; Vaginal delivery.