All issues > Volume 33(9); 1990

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1990;33(9):1209-1215. Published online September 30, 1990.

Vitamin K Dependent Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn and Infancy with Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Ji Eun Lee¹, Pal Dong Kim¹, Hong Dae Cha¹, Heung Sik Kim¹, Chin Moo Kang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Taegu, Korea

Received: May 25, 1990;  Accepted: July 31, 1990.

Abstract

Eight cases of vitamin K dependent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn and infancy with intra- cranial hemorrhage were analysed clinically. Out of 8 cases, 3 cases developed the bleeding within 7 day of life and 5 cases after one month. Two cases had bleeding before initial feeding. Out of 6 cases who were fed before the onset of bleeding, 4 cases had breast feeding. Neurological abnormalities were seen in all cases and were associated with upper respiratory tract infection (2 cases), diarrhea (1 case) and bile duct obstruction (1 case). Subdural hemorrhage was most common, found in 5 cases followed by subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2 cases. Prolongtion of prothrombin time and anemia were noticed in all cases. One case had mild throm- bocytopenia. Prophylactic dose of vitamin Kx at birth was given in only one case. Therapeutic doses of vitamin Ki injection were given to all cases with improvement of gross bleeding and 2 cases showed neur- ological improvement. According to the result of this study, administration of the prophylactic dose of vitamin Kx at birth was necessary for the prevention of serious conditions associated with the vitamin K dependent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn and infancy, especially to the cases of breast feeding.

Keywords :Vitamin K, Hemorrhagic disease, Intracranial hemorrhage