Massive scalp haemorrhage after fetal blood sampling due to haemorrhagic disease

Calcified subgaleal hematoma with secondary cranial deformity in a patient with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

We present here the case of a 25-month-old boy who, in conjunction with his preexisting Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP), developed a massive calcified subgaleal hematoma (SGH) with secondary cranial deformity. Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon is a rare condition that involves a secondary consumptive coagulopathy in the setting of congenital hemangiomatous lesions. The vascular lesions of KMP are often large, singular, and cutaneous, but may also be diffuse, and involve internal structures. Subgaleal hematomas are a rare condition, most frequently observed in neonates as a complication of instrument-assisted delivery. There have been few cases reported beyond the perinatal period, but those that are present within the literature have typically resulted from some instance of minor trauma to the scalp. Most cases resolve spontaneously and without complication. However, our patient's SGH developed into a large, organized, and calcified lesion, likely with some contribution from his hematologic deficit. In addition, this subgaleal lesion resulted in a cranial deformity, ultimately requiring surgical evacuation and reconstruction. We believe the case presented here represents the first report of an SGH in the setting of KMP.

Purpura in infants and children

Hemorrhage into the skin (purpura) may result from abnormalities in any of the three components of hemostasis: platelets, plasma coagulation factors, and blood vessels. The morphology, size, and distribution of the hemorrhagic lesions are helpful diagnostic features. The main causes of purpura in the newborn and the more common hemorrhagic disorders in children are reviewed.

Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn: a review of 127 cases

A review of 127 infants with haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN) is presented. The case definition of HDN used in the selection of patients was bleeding during the 1st week of life in a newborn with normal platelet count, normal peripheral blood smear and complete clinical response to parenteral vitamin K. Equivocal cases with respect to cause of bleeding were excluded. The eligible cases consisted of 0.9% of all admissions to the unit and the male:female ratio was 1.8:1. Most were from families of low economic status and poor educational background. Omission of vitamin K prophylaxis and exclusive breastfeeding were the commonest antecedents. The mean (SE) gestation and admission weight were 39.3 (0.2) weeks and 2981 (78) g, respectively. One hundred and two (80.3%) had classical HDN with a mean (SE) age at onset of 63 (4.4) hours. Gastro-intestinal bleeding was the commonest observation. Thirty-three infants (26%) died, most of them from exsanguination. There is a need for well designed work to determine the magnitude of the problem, including that of late-onset HDN, the antecedent risk factors, the preferred route for administering prophylactic vitamin K and a clear policy guideline on prevention of the disease.

The use of vitamin K in the perinatal period. Fetus and Newborn Committee, Canadian Paediatric Society

The incidence of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDNB) can be expected to increase in Canada as breast-feeding becomes more popular. There are three clinical patterns of hemorrhagic disease: early HDNB (usually related to maternal drug ingestion), classic HDNB (related to breast-feeding) and late hemorrhagic disease of infancy (related to the combination of breast-feeding and diseases that cause fat malabsorption). Despite the knowledge that the disease can virtually be prevented by the administration of vitamin K, not all newborns are being routinely considered for such treatment. The Canadian Paediatric Society has made several recommendations: (a) women who take drugs that interfere with vitamin K1 metabolism should receive oral doses of vitamin K1 daily for a minimum of 2 weeks before expected delivery; (b) all healthy term infants should receive a single dose of vitamin K1, orally or intramuscularly, within 6 hours after birth; (c) all other newborns, including preterm, low-birthweight and sick infants, should receive a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K1 within 6 hours after birth; and (d) infants at high risk for secondary late-onset hemorrhagic disease due to fat malabsorption should receive vitamin K1 orally every day or intramuscularly once a month.

Foetal hypoxia--an anaesthetist's approach to classification and prevention

Nearly one third of perinatal deaths are due to hypoxia occurring during pregnancy and labour. Many factors contribute to foetal hypoxia and in order to group these into orderly categories a classification of hypoxia, which is familiar to anaesthetists, has been applied to the maternal and foetal circulations. This theoretical approach forms a logical guide to our understanding the cause, prevention and treatment of foetal hypoxia.

Perinatal coagulopathies complicating fetal blood sampling

In a neonatal postmortem histological study of scalp stabs made with a fetal blood sampling blade the aponeurosis was punctured in up to 38% of cases even when it was more than 2 mm deep. This and other indirect and direct evidence discussed suggest that five of the seven reported cases of major bleeding after fetal blood sampling in labour were due to blood clotting defects and that these should be considered urgently in the management of future cases.