Prevention of vitamin K deficiency and cerebral hemorrhage in children

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi My Linh - Neonatologist - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

According to research, 90% of children with cerebral hemorrhage due to vitamin K deficiency usually occur at 30-40 days of age, the main cause is vitamin K deficiency. Hemorrhagic - meningoencephalitis in young children can be completely prevented. achieved by providing vitamin K to all newborns.

Vitamin K is involved in the synthesis of several clotting factors in the liver, which is necessary to prevent severe bleeding. The body is provided with vitamin K from two sources: from food (green vegetables, meat, animal liver) and from synthetic intestinal bacteria. Normally, bacteria in the gut can synthesize enough vitamin K, but for newborns, scientists recommend treating babies with a dose of vitamin K1 (Phytomenadione) 1mg soon after birth to prevent neonatal bleeding. By about six months of age, a baby's body has built up its own supply of vitamin K.

Cerebral-meningeal hemorrhage is bleeding in the brain or meninges caused by the rupture of any blood vessel in the brain. The disease has a high mortality rate and leaves severe sequelae.
Cerebral-meningeal hemorrhage in young children is completely different from that in older children, adults and the elderly in terms of causes, disease manifestations, treatment and prevention. Intracerebral - meningeal hemorrhage in young children is quite common in countries around the world as well as in our country. The sequelae are very serious such as epilepsy, motor paralysis, mental retardation, hydrocephalus, making children disabled for life. Although this is a dangerous disease, it is completely preventable and curable, with few sequelae if detected early.
The main cause of cerebral - meningeal hemorrhage in young children is vitamin K deficiency. Newborns have very little vitamin K in their bodies after birth. Vitamin K does not cross the placenta to the developing baby, and the intestines do not have any bacteria that make vitamin K before birth. After birth, there is very little vitamin K in breast milk, and breastfed babies can be vitamin K deficient for several weeks until normal gut bacteria start making it. Infant formula is fortified with vitamin K, but even formula-fed babies have very low levels of vitamin K for several days.

Meningoencephalitis due to vitamin K deficiency in infants usually occurs very early, from the first week after birth to 3 months of age, 90% of cases occur at the age of 30-60 days, especially 40-50 days old. Only a very few occur from over 3 months of age.
The disease occurs very quickly, suddenly the child's skin turns pale, stops feeding, vomits, then the child cries, groans and convulses. Simultaneously with convulsions, the child loses consciousness and goes into a coma. The child continues to have generalized or partial convulsions of a limb, face or half of the body, drooping eyelids. Many children have irregular breathing or intermittent pauses in breathing. The patient's condition is very critical at the moment.

Hemorrhagic encephalopathy in infants is completely preventable by giving vitamin K to all newborns. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health specifically guides:
For children > 1,500 grams: intramuscularly 1mg Vitamin K1 EENC care (Early Essential Care for Mothers and Newborns during and immediately after birth/after cesarean section).

At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a service package "PAYTERY PACKAGE", including prenatal care, prenatal care and postpartum care. After birth, the baby will be fully injected with vitamin K. Vitamin K is preserved and stored in the best conditions with modern and advanced facilities, parents can rest assured to trust.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment. Specialist I Nguyen Thi My Linh has 12 years of experience in diagnosing and treating pediatric diseases, especially neonatal resuscitation and neonatal treatment. In addition, the doctor has strengths in the field of breastfeeding counseling as well as examination, counseling and nutritional intervention in children.
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