Avulsion defects of the scalp of the newborn infant: Medicolegal implications

Abstract

A case of “congenital” skin defect of the scalp of a newborn infant is reported. A brief résuméof the literature is presented, the accepted explanation of the lesion is discussed and a more specific nomenclature suggested. The importance of these lesions lies in the faet that, through being mistaken for traumatic obstetric injuries, they may be the grounds for litigation.