Newborn Hemorrhagic Disease, also known as NHD, is a medical condition primarily affecting infants and characterized by abnormal bleeding or hemorrhage in newborns. This condition is primarily caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Vitamin K is crucial in the synthesis of clotting factors, particularly factors II, VII, IX, and X, hence its deficiency or inefficient functioning can lead to a hemorrhagic disorder.
Newborn Hemorrhagic Disease can manifest in various ways, including bleeding from the umbilical cord stump, gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding into the skin, nosebleeds, or bleeding following circumcision or injections. Since infants do not have significant stores of vitamin K in their bodies at birth, they rely on a transfer of this vitamin from the mother during childbirth or through breastfeeding. However, certain factors can interfere with this transfer, thereby increasing the risk of NHD. These factors include maternal medication use (particularly anticoagulants), maternal alcoholism, certain medical conditions affecting the liver or bile metabolism, and exclusive breastfeeding without vitamin K supplementation.
To prevent or manage Newborn Hemorrhagic Disease, healthcare providers often administer a vitamin K injection to newborns shortly after birth. This injection provides a dose of vitamin K that helps to compensate for the deficiency in the newborn's body and promotes proper blood clotting. By ensuring adequate vitamin K levels, the risk of bleeding complications associated with NHD can be significantly decreased.
