Clinical Features of Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDNB)

Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDNB) may first be recognized when a neonate or infant presents with unexpected bleeding.

Clinical features:

(1) unexpected bleeding

(2) presence of risk factors for HDNB

(3) prolonged PT (> 1.5 times normal control), normal plasma fibrinogen and normal platelet count

(4) exclusion of other diagnoses

(5) response to vitamin K administration

Types of unexpected bleeding:

(1) gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis, melena)

(2) intracranial hemorrhage (subdural hematoma, other)

(3) skin bruising

(4) epistaxis

(5) intra-ocular hemorrhage

(6) hemothorax

(7) umbilical cord bleeding

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