[Re-emergence of hemorrhagic disease in newborns. Implications for its prevention]

To describe the occurrence of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN) at a tertiary care pediatric hospital of Morelos state.

A retrospective case series study was conducted between 1997-2000 at Hospital del Niño Morelense (Morelos State Children's Hospital), in 46 newborns aged under 12 weeks. Study subjects were referred from peripheral units with a diagnosis of HDN.

The severe late-onset form of HDN was present in 91% of the cases. Fifty-two percent of childbirths were assisted by a physician and 48% by an empiric midwife. Application of vitamin K was unknown in 61% of cases, in 39% it was not applied and in 4% it was applied. The majority of infants presented severe symptoms due to intra-cranial bleeding, 11% died, and 41% had severe disease sequelae.

Given the high prevalence of HDN in the State of Morelos, reproductive health programs should be reviewed and training programs intensified to promote the utilization of vitamin K by physicians and nurses for preventing this disease.