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AJP Rep 2015; 05(02): e193-e195
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557107
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Early Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding in a Neonate Associated with Maternal Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy

Shreyas Arya
1   Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Carol J. Richardson
2   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Sunil Jain
2   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Leonard E. Swischuck
3   Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

12 December 2014

28 May 2015

Publication Date:
07 September 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but potentially fatal condition occurring in the third trimester or early postpartum period. It is characterized by microvesicular fatty infiltration of the liver. Clinically, the three most prominent derangements in women with AFLP are hepatic dysfunction, renal insufficiency, and impaired coagulation. AFLP is associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in neonates, though the exact cause for this remains unclear. Deficiency of vitamin K in patients with liver disease has been widely reported.

Case Description We present a unique case of severe intracranial bleeding because of the early vitamin K deficiency in a neonate whose mother had AFLP along with accompanying renal insufficiency.

Conclusion We suggest that monitoring infants born to mothers with AFLP, for vitamin K deficiency bleeding will help reduce morbidity and mortality in these infants.

Keywords

acute fatty liver of pregnancy - vitamin K–deficiency bleeding - hepatic dysfunction - intracranial bleeding
 

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