The feature of hemorrhagic disease of the new born is -: (A) Prolonged prothrombin time, (B) Defective platelet count, (C) Decreased bleeding time, (D) Prolonged thrombin time
Answer is A. Ans. is 'a' Prolonged prothrombin time Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. It is caused by a deficiency of vitamin K dependent factors (II, VII, IX, X)*. Bleeding occurs in 0.25-1.7% of newborns who do not receive vitamin K prophylaxis after birth. Symptoms - Sites of ecchymoses and surface bleeding include - Gastrointestinal tract Umbilical cord Circumcision site Nose Sometimes intracranial hemorrhage can occur. Laboratory features of hemorrhagic disease of new bom : Platelet count -Normal Prothrombin time -Prolonged* Thrombin time -Normal until very late in the disease* Fibrinogen -Normal Factor V -Normal