Haemorrhagic disease of the new born

Question 1

What vitamin are newborn babies deficient in?

Answer 1

vitamin K

Question 2

what does vitamin K deifiency lead into?

Answer 2

impaired production of clotting factors which in turn can lead to haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN)

Question 3

what forms of haemorrhage disease can be seen in the newborn?

Answer 3

Bleeding may range from minor brushing to intracranial haemorrhages

Question 4

Which types of babies are at risk of haemorhagic disease?

Answer 4

breast-fed - breast milk poor source of vitamin k

maternal use of antiepileptics

Question 5

why are babies offered vitamin k IM or PO at birth?

Answer 5

Newborn babies are relatively deficient in vitamin K. This may result in impaired production of clotting factors which in turn can lead to haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN). Bleeding may range from minor brushing to intracranial haemorrhages