Warning of bleeding in newborns

Hemorrhage in babies is a dangerous condition, most commonly hemorrhage under the skin, hemorrhage of the brain, meninges ... The following article will help you better know the information about the causes, symptoms and ways Treat this condition in young children.

Hemorrhage is a bleeding phenomenon, in young children it is common to hemorrhage under the skin, hemorrhage of the brain, meninges ... The reason is that the immune system as well as the coagulation function of infants is still very poor . Therefore, the bleeding under the skin is very dangerous for children, it can even cause death.

What is bleeding in a newborn?

1. What is bleeding?

Hemorrhage (bleeding) is a blood condition, consisting of two components: plasma and a tangible component that leaves the circulatory system. Depending on the nature, degree and location, there are different names, such as: Brain hemorrhage, bleeding under the skin, stomach bleeding ...

Hemorrhage occurs from trauma or illness. Hemorrhage caused by pathology is a symptom of many different diseases such as: Dengue fever, stomach bleeding, hemorrhoids ...

Hemorrhage under the skin is characteristic of hemorrhage. This is the blood flowing out of capillaries, forming small reddish-brown spots under the skin's surface. Hemorrhage is the hallmark of many different diseases.

2. What is bleeding in a newborn?

This is a rare bleeding condition that can occur after birth and is potentially life-threatening. Hemorrhage in a newborn is classified according to the time in which symptoms appeared:

Early Onset: Hemorrhage occurs within 24 hours of birth

Secondary onset: Hemorrhage occurs within 2 - 7 days after birth

Late onset: Hemorrhage occurs within 2 weeks - 6 months.

Currently, the Ministry of Health has provided vitamin K for babies right after birth to protect babies from the risk of hemorrhage in the brain and meningitis caused by vitamin K deficiency. is available in two forms: oral or injectable.

Causes of bleeding in babies

The main cause of bleeding in newborns is the lack of vitamin K. Vitamin K plays an important role in helping the baby's body to be healthy and develop comprehensively. Certain types of bacteria that live in the intestines and colon (intestinal system) also provide a small amount of this vitamin to the child's body. Vitamin K is also found in many green vegetables.

There are several reasons why babies are susceptible to vitamin K deficiency. First, only a small amount of vitamin K is passed through the placenta during pregnancy. Second, breast milk contains only a small amount of vitamin K. Besides, the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal system (Lactobacillus bacteria) in breastfed babies cannot synthesize vitamin K.

Hemorrhagic symptoms in the newborn

If your baby is bleeding, he or she is likely to develop abnormally before a serious bleeding occurs. These symptoms include:

There are signs of insignificant bleeding

Low weight for the baby's age

Less weight gain.

Bleeding in a newborn is at risk in one or more areas including:

At the base of the belly button, the wet area where the umbilical cord is cut

Mucous membranes in the nose and mouth

Penis if the baby is circumcised

Places where the needle was stabbed when vaccinated

Digestive

Skin.

If your baby is bleeding, sometimes you will see blood appear in the baby's stool or urine. In addition, signs of bleeding also manifest in bruises or tumors on the head. If the tumor grows larger and larger, it is likely that this is a sign of a blood tumor. The benign hemangioma may go away after a while. However, blood tumors may also indicate intracranial hemorrhage. This is a dangerous life-threatening situation. So if in doubt, take your baby to the doctor immediately.

Risk factors for neonatal hemorrhage

The risk factors for hemorrhagic illness in newborns depend on the stage of disease onset

1. Early onset period

Hemorrhage in a newborn that occurs within the first 24 hours after birth is called early-onset neonatal hemorrhage. Your baby is at risk if you took certain medicines during pregnancy when you were pregnant. The medications are usually:

Anticonvulsants interfere with vitamin K metabolism such as: phenytoin, phenobarbital, caramezepine, primidone

Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin

Term antibiotics such as: cephalosporin

Anti-tuberculosis drugs such as rifampin, isoniazid.

Basic onset stage

Neonatal bleeding occurs during the first week of life, usually in infants who have not received either oral or injectable prophylactic vitamin K supplements at birth. If breastfed exclusively and without vitamin K supplements, babies have a higher risk of disease than other babies.

3. Late onset period

Hemorrhage in a newborn that occurs in children 2 weeks to 6 months is called late onset hemorrhage. This usually occurs in children who have not received vitamin K injections. Risk factors include:

Vitamin K content in breast milk is low

Biliary stenosis causes biliary obstruction

Cystic fibrosis

Celiac disease

Chronic diarrhea

Hepatitis

Deficiency of A1-antitrypsin can cause diseases related to lung and liver disease.

Diagnosis and treatment of neonatal bleeding

If you suspect that your baby is bleeding, the doctor will perform blood clotting tests and give your baby vitamin K1 supplement. If this stops the bleeding, your doctor will confirm that the cause of the bleeding is vitamin K deficiency.

If your child is diagnosed with vitamin K deficiency bleeding, your doctor will recommend a specific treatment regimen, including a blood transfusion if the bleeding is severe.

Treatment will work well for babies with early onset or primary onset symptoms. However, bleeding from vitamin K deficiency, if detected late, becomes more severe and leads to a higher risk of intracranial bleeding, brain damage or death.

If breastfeeding your baby, you should consult your doctor about steps to help your baby absorb enough vitamin K. In addition, vitamin K supplementation for babies is also a preventive measure to help your baby from bleeding. due to vitamin K deficiency.