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Vitamin K in relation to haemorrhagic disease of the newborn

Abstract:

Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn was described almost 100 years ago in 1894, by Townsend, as a bleeding syndrome in newborn babies, not due to trauma or an inherited bleeding disorder, e.g. haemophilia. A 1955 textbook (1) says, 'spontaneous haemorrhage from the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal is a rare disease', usually occurring within the first three days of life. 'In the vast majority of cases the haemorrhage is associated with a very low prothrombin level in the infant's blood.' It also notes, the normal infant has a lower prothrombin level than the average adult. At that time the classical treatment of giving the infant intramuscular injections of whole blood had been replaced by administration of daily 5 mgm injections of synthetic vitamin K until the bleeding stopped. Prophylaxis consisted of giving the mother vitamin K (either by mouth or intramuscularly) at the onset of labour, which resulted in 'a high prothrombin level in the blood of the infant at birth'. Occurrence of the disease between 2-5 days is referred to as the 'classic' form. Today, very early onset (within 24 hours) and late onset (after one month) are also recognised.

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colostrum and breastmilk, haemorrhagic disease, vitamin K