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Published on: September 30, 2021
Late-type vitamin K deficiency bleeding: experience from 120 patients
Mehmet Akif Ozdemir1, Musa Karakukcu, Huseyin Per
1Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey.
Summary
Late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in infants can cause severe intracranial hemorrhages. Routine vitamin K prophylaxis at birth is crucial for preventing this serious condition and its associated mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Hematology
Background:
- Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) predisposes infants to early, classic, or late forms.
- Late VKDB, occurring in exclusively breastfed infants aged 2-24 weeks, is a significant cause of intracranial bleeding, mortality, and morbidity in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in infants.
- To emphasize the importance of vitamin K prophylaxis in preventing severe hemorrhagic complications.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 120 infants diagnosed with late VKDB between June 1990 and June 2006.
- Evaluation of clinical signs, symptoms, treatments, hemorrhage types, and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 73% of patients, with various types including subdural, intracerebral, and intraventricular.
- Common symptoms included bulging fontanels (70%), irritability (50%), and convulsions (49%).
- The mortality rate was 31%.
Conclusions:
- Late VKDB is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
- Administration of 1 mg of vitamin K at birth can effectively prevent intracranial bleeding and other hemorrhagic manifestations, thus avoiding late VKDB.
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