¹Division of Neonatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Correspondence: Dr M Ciantelli, Division of Neonatology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa 56100, Italy. E-mail: m.ciantelli@libero.it

Received 21 March 2008; Revised 21 July 2008; Accepted 22 July 2008.

Abstract

We report the case of a 6-week-old female who presented an intracranial hemorrhage due to late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). No other evident bleeding sites were present at the moment of diagnosis. Intramuscular vitamin K (1 mg) was administered at birth. She was exclusively breast-fed. No other risk factors for VKDB were detected. Low levels of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors and their normalization after vitamin K administration confirmed the diagnosis of late VKDB. The present case suggests potential risks related to a single dose of intramuscular vitamin K at birth.