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Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn - Treatment

Alternative Names

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding; VKDB

Treatment:

Vitamin K is given if bleeding occurs. Patients with severe bleeding may need blood transfusions.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook tends to be worse for babies with late onset hemorrhagic disease than other forms. There is a higher rate of bleeding inside the skull (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with the late onset condition.

Complications:

Bleeding inside the skull (intracranial hemorrhage), with possible brain damage
Death
Severe bleeding

Calling your health care provider:

Call your doctor if your baby has any unexplained bleeding.

Reviewed last on: 1/28/2010
Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Blood Disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 103.

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Policy statement: controversies concerning vitamin K and the newborn. Pediatrics. 2003;112:191-192.

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