Late hemorrhagic disease of newborn.
The clinical features of 14 infants diagnosed with late hemorrhagic disease of newborn (LHDN), of which 10 did not receive vitamin K prophylaxis, are presented. All infants were exclusively breast-fed and 12 did not have any underlying illness to explain the abnormal coagulation profile. The common presenting symptoms were seizures (71%), vomiting (57%), poor feeding (50%) and altered sensorium (36%). Physical examination shared pallor in all infants and a bulging anterior fontanel in 64%. Intracranial bleed was the predominant manifestation (93%), with CT scan showing intracranial bleed in 78%. Eight infants (57%) succumbed to their illness, while 36%had neurological sequelae. Since LHDN leads to significant morbidity and mortality, it should be prevented by providing vitamin K prophylaxis to all newborns.
D'Souza
I E
IE
Department of Pediatrics, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Rao
S D Subba
SD
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*