Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn
Introduction
Synonyms and keywords: Vitamin K deficiency of newborn; hemorrhagic disease of newborn (Vitamin K deficiency)
Overview
Overview
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.
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
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).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Symptoms
The disease causes an increased risk of bleeding. The most common sites of bleeding are
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment consists of vitamin K supplementation. This is often given prophylactically newborns shortly after birth.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]