Treatment and prognosis

Vitamin K deficiency is easily corrected by subcutaneous vitamin K. A single dose of 15 mg achieves results within 12 - 24 hours. If very rapid treatment of haemorrhagic tendency is required then this can be generally controlled if the levels of factors II and IX can be raised to 30% of normal values by transfusion of FFP.

Recurrence occurs only if underlying aetiology is untreated.

The prognosis is good for most affected babies. Intracranial haemorrhage and late VKDB account for the mortality associated with VKDB. (2)

References

1. Puckett RM, Offringa M. Prophylactic vitamin K for vitamin K deficiency bleeding in neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(4):CD002776
2. Rana MT et al. Risk factors, presentations and outcome of the haemorrhagic disease of newborn. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2009 Jun;19(6):371-4.