Intracranial haemorrhage due to late haemorrhagic disease of infancy

Thirteen cases of late haemorrhagic disease of infancy due to vitamin K deficiency presenting with intracranial haemorrhage were seen over a three - year period from 1984 to 1986. The clinical picture was fairly typical; a short history of being unwell (poor feeding, vomiting, irritability, high pitched cry, fits) and physical findings of pallor, a normal body temperature, impairment of consciousness, abnormal respiration and a very tense anterior fontanelle. Vitamin K deficiency was implicated by the prolonged prothrombin time which rapidly returned to normal with vitamin K injection. The outcome was poor. Possible factors giving rise to vitamin K deficiency are discussed. The author suggests the introduction of the giving of vitamin K to all new-borns.