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[An infant with a fatal cerebral hemorrhage due to vitamin K deficiency]
W W Hack1, J F van der Blij, F P Tegelaers
1Afd. Kindergeneeskunde: Medisch Centrum Alkmaar.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|April 27, 1996
Insights
A breastfed infant died from brain bleeding caused by vitamin K deficiency. Delayed oral vitamin K supplementation and mild cholestasis may have contributed to this tragic outcome.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Hematology
Background:
- Vitamin K deficiency is a preventable cause of bleeding in newborns.
- Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a higher risk of vitamin K deficiency if supplementation is inadequate.
Observation:
- A 7-week-old male infant, exclusively breastfed, presented with an intracerebral hemorrhage.
- Vitamin K was not administered at birth, with oral supplementation (25 mcg/day) initiated on day 10.
Findings:
- The infant's death was attributed to vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).
- Postmortem examination revealed mild cholestasis, a potential contributing factor to the late-onset vitamin K deficiency.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical importance of timely and adequate vitamin K prophylaxis in all newborns, regardless of feeding method.
- Underscores the need for awareness of potential contributing factors like cholestasis in cases of suspected VKDB.
Abstract:
A 7-week old, male infant died from an intracerebral haemorrhage due to vitamin K deficiency. He had been exclusively breast-fed. Directly after birth no vitamin K was administered. From day 10 a daily dose of 25 microgram vitamin K was given orally. At post mortem a mild cholestasis was found which may have been an additional factor contributing to late vitamin K deficiency.