[Late hemorragic disease of the newborn: case report]

OBJECTIVE: In this study the authors review this subject, and call attention for the late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, due to the severity and higher risk of mortality and neurological sequelae.METHODS: In this article, four cases of children, age raging from 12 to 21 days, with late hemorrhagic disease associated with vitamin K deficiency were reported. RESULTS: All newborns had multiple hemorrhagic manifestations of the disease. The systems more affected were digestive tract, urinary system, umbilical cord, respiratory system and nervous system.CONCLUSION: Three forms of hemorrhagic disease of newborn have been related with vitamin K deficiency. However, late vitamin K deficiency bleeding is not common and may not be diagnosed by pediatrician. This form of disease can be prevented by vitamin K prophylaxis administration after birth.