Caput succedaneum is described as what?

Caput succedaneum is accurately described as a localized swelling of the scalp that occurs as a result of venous obstruction during the process of delivery, particularly when the infant is being born through the birth canal. This condition typically arises when the presenting part of the fetus, often the head, experiences pressure against the cervix during labor. The pressure can impede venous return from the tissues of the head, leading to swelling.

This swelling is often soft and fluctuates under pressure, distinguishing it from other conditions like cephalohematoma, which involves bleeding between the skull and its outer covering. Caput succedaneum usually resolves on its own within a few days and is a common, benign finding in newborns following a vaginal delivery.