Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn: clinical presentation and response to treatment with vitamin k

ABSTRACT

1] To determine the clinical presentation of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. 2] To assess the response to injection vitamin K in this condition. This was a descriptive, analytical study conducted from January, 2002 to December, 2002 in the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi. All patients who presented with bleeding were admitted in the neonatal unit of the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi. After sending blood for investigations, 2mg. Vitamin K was injected intravenously. In babies with continuous or profuse bleeding, fresh frozen plasma was also given. PT and APTT were repeated after 6 to 12 hours and after one week. Data collection was done by means of a proforma. Analysis was on SPSS version 8.0. 50 cases were included in the study 78% were born at home and did not receive vitamin K at birth. 72% were low birth weight. 80% were breastfed. Gastrointestinal tract, nasal mucosa and skin were the commonest sites of bleeding. PT and APTT were prolonged in all the cases. Their values improved after six hours and normalized in one week. Vitamin K deficiency causing hemorrhagic disease of the newborn is a common problem in neonates. It shows a dramatic response to vitamin K injection. It is more common in male, preterm and low birth weight babies