Object: Although the incidence of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in neonates has dramatically decreased in the developed world since the adoption of routine vitamin K prophylaxis, in developing countries the incidence is still high. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the most dangerous complication. Early recognition and management are important to decrease the mortality rate and neurological sequelae. The authors conducted a prospective study between January 2008 and June 2010. They included all full-term neonates referred to the Department of Neurosurgery at Mansoura University Children's Hospital with ICH complicating VKDB and necessitating surgical evacuation. The objective was to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, hospital course, and outcome of ICH in full-term neonates with VKDB after surgical evacuation.
Methods: Thirty-two neonates with ICH due to VKDB were included. Diagnosis and classification of ICH were based on detailed history, physical examination, and the interpretation of CT or MR imaging studies. The diagnosis of VKDB was based on pretreatment coagulation studies (prothrombin time [PT] and partial thromboplastin time [PTT]), which are grossly abnormal, together with a normal platelet count and correction of coagulation results to normal after vitamin K administration.
Results: The mean age (± SD) at onset of symptoms was 20.4 ± 4.9 days. Two neonates (6.25%) had early VKDB, 7 (21.9%) had classic VKDB, and 23 (71.9%) had late VKDB. The most common neurological manifestations included focal seizures, disturbed consciousness level, and tense anterior fontanel. The most common general manifestations included pallor, respiratory distress, and bleeding from other sites. Radiological findings varied from acute subdural hemorrhage (SDH) in 18 cases (56.3%), intracerebral hemorrhage in 10 (31.3%), and acute SDH with underlying intracerebral hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and/or subarachnoid hemorrhage in 4 (12.5%). Before administration of vitamin K, the PT was 72.1 ± 45.0 seconds and the PTT was 112.4 ± 57.6 seconds. Six to 12 hours after administration of vitamin K, the PT was 14.6 ± 1.6 seconds and the PTT was 34.4 ± 1.0 seconds. All patients underwent surgery for evacuation of the ICH after correction of PT, prothrombin activity, and international normalized ratio. Evacuation of the ICH was done by either free or osteoblastic bone flap. Six patients (18.8%) died, and the other 26 patients had variable degrees of morbidity during the follow-up period (3-24 months).
Conclusions: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding, especially the late-onset form, is an important cause of neonatal ICH. In the present study, the most frequent form of ICH in neonates was SDH. Focal seizures, disturbed consciousness level, tense anterior fontanel, unexplained anemia, and respiratory distress were the major presenting signs. Despite early surgical evacuation, these cases are associated with high mortality rate and neurological disabilities. Vitamin K prophylaxis at birth may reduce these severe complications.