Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn Symptoms & Causes

In-Depth

Who is affected by hemorrhagic disease?

Vitamin K deficiency results in bleeding in less than 2 percent of all babies. Babies at risk for developing hemorrhagic disease are:

• babies who don't receive preventive vitamin K in an injection at birth
• exclusively breastfed babies (breast milk contains less vitamin K than cow's milk formula)
• babies whose mothers have seizure disorders and take anti-convulsant medications

Why is hemorrhagic disease of the newborn a concern?

Without the clotting factor, bleeding occurs, and severe bleeding or hemorrhage can result.