Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: Vitamin K deficiency of newborn; hemorrhagic disease of newborn (Vitamin K deficiency)

Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn is a coagulation disturbance in newborns due to vitamin K deficiency. As a consequence of vitamin K deficiency there is an impaired production of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, C and S by the liver.

Newborns are relatively vitamin K deficient for a variety of reasons. They have low vitamin K stores at birth, vitamin K passes the placenta poorly, the levels of vitamin K in breast milk are low and the gut flora has not yet been developed (vitamin K is normally produced by bacteria in the intestines).

The disease causes an increased risk of bleeding. The most common sites of bleeding are

• Umbilicus
• Mucous membrane
• Gastrointestinal tract
• Circumcision
• Venipunctures.

Treatment consists of vitamin K supplementation. This is often given prophylactically newborns shortly after birth.

• Hemolytic disease of the newborn

Template:Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period

de:Morbus haemorrhagicus neonatorum

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