Common Blood Diseases in Newborns

Bleeding in newborns results from platelet disorders, clotting factor deficiencies, and vascular disorders.

Causes:

• Vitamin K deficiency and immature liver development leading to impaired clotting factor production, as seen in hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
• Low platelet count or platelet dysfunction.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which consumes clotting factors and causes bleeding.
• Congenital or hereditary clotting factor deficiencies, such as hemophilia.

Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn

Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn is a bleeding disorder occurring in the first few days after birth due to vitamin K deficiency, leading to impaired production of clotting factors by the liver.

Symptoms:

• Persistent bleeding from the umbilical cord.
• Continuous bleeding from the circumcision site in male infants.
• Blood in urine and stool.
• Subcutaneous blood collections (bruises) on the baby’s body.

Prevention:

• Administering vitamin K (0.5 – 1 mg intramuscularly) within 1–2 hours after birth.

Treatment:

• Administering 5 mg of vitamin K intramuscularly or intravenously (slowly).
• Fresh plasma transfusion or packed red blood cell transfusion in severe bleeding cases, as per the doctor's instructions.