NEONATAL INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE

Universal neonatal vit. K administration is intended to prevent intracranial hemorrhage due to vit. K deficiency

Risk factors in a cohort of 4795 singleton babies with birthweight < 1500g: (Arch. Pediatr. Adol. Med. 150:491, 1996)

1. Protective factors:

1. Antenatal steroid administration (shown in other studies also)
2. Increased gestational age
3. Greater birth weight
4. Femal gender
5. Hypertension or preeclampsia with no antepartum hemorrhage
6. African-American maternal race

1. Increased risk for ICH:

1. Antepartum hemorrhage
2. Breech presentation