Postdelivery head bleeding in hemophilic neonates. Causes and management

M. Kletzel, C. H. Miller, D. L. Becton, W. M. Chadduck and J. M. Elser
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.

During a 12-month period, four of the five infants with hemophilia known to have been born in Arkansas were examined for head bleeding. Three of the infants had had traumatic delivery, with use of low forceps in two and vacuum extraction in one. In the fourth patient, hemophilia was prenatally diagnosed, and vaginal delivery resulted in cephalohematoma. Diagnosis was delayed in three patients, including one with a family history of hemophilia. Central nervous system bleeding may be more common in hemophilic neonates than has been presumed. Pregnancy management should include consideration of family history of bleeding disorders and carrier testing in appropriate cases. In confirmed carriers, prenatal diagnosis is justified to allow choice of the least traumatic delivery method. Any term neonate with intracranial hemorrhage should be treated as being possibly hemophilic until proved otherwise.