[Delayed hemorrhagic syndrome caused by hypovitaminosis K]

The authors describe two cases of delayed haemorrhagic disease by vitamin K deficiency, occurring at 28 days and 2 months 1/2 of age. The first case was revealed by an hematoma in the thoracic wall and anemia, and the second by convulsions caused by meningeal hemorrhage. The study of hemostasis and the correction of prothrombin rate after vitamin K injection show that it is a delayed haemorrhagic disease caused by vitamin K deficiency. Etiologic factors of this affection are discussed. The authors insist on the preventive role of the vitamin K injection in infants fed exclusively at breast and presenting diarrhea.