Subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver in the newborn

Infants with large subcapsular hemorrhages of the liver may have signs that mimic hypovolemic shock commonly seen with intraventricular hemorrhage. A retrospective clinicopathologic study of 783 neonates spanning ten years disclosed an incidence of 15% for subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver. Infants at risk were not clearly distinguishable clinically from control cohorts, but tended to be premature male infants with chronic problems during gestation and more complications during labor and delivery. Physical manipulations including umbilical venous catheter placement, tracheal intubation, and chest tube placement were typically seen in the affected neonates.