Intracranial hemorrhage due to late hemorrhagic disease in two siblings

PER H., Kumandas S., OZDEMIR M., GUMUS H., KARAKUKCU M.

JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, vol.31, no.1, pp.49-52, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2005.09.007
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.49-52
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Deficiency of vitamin K predisposes to early, classic or late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN); late HDN may be associated with serious and life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage. Late HDN is characterized by intracranial bleeding in infants aged 1 week to 6 months due to severe vitamin K deficiency, occurring particularly in exclusively breastfed infants. Late HDN is still an important cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries where vitamin K prophylaxis is not routinely practiced. In this study, we report on two siblings with intracranial bleeding who were fully breastfed without a routine supplementation of vitamin K. Vitamin K should be given to all newborns as a single, intramuscular dose of 1 mg. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc.