[Intracranial hemorrhage in an infant due to vitamin K deficiency --successful management of spontaneous intracerebral and subjural hematoma].

A one-month-old male infant with spontaneous intracerebral and subdural hematomas due to vitamin K deficiency was described. He was breastfed. Loose stools continued and began to contain blood. He had fever, vomiting and convulsion, and became drowsy. The blood studies showed anemia and hypoprothrombinemia. Left carotid angiograms revealed intracerebral and subdural hematomas. He was treated successfully by immediate operation and administration of vitamin K. 2) Vitamin K deficient hemorrhage beyond the immediate newborn period was discussed with reference in the literature. Three etiologic factors included, decreased vitamin K intake, decreased intestinal absorption of vitamin K and decreased production of vitamin K by colon bacteria. The most important factor of the three seemed to be low vitamin K intake. Intracranial hemorrhage was recognized in about one third of the cases in the literature. It was emphasized that vitamin K deficiency occurring beyond the immediate newborn period was very important as a cause of intracranial hemorrhage in infancy.