haemorrhagic disease of the newborn and antiepileptic drugs
Last reviewed 01/2021
- mortality associated with neonatal bleeding from vitamin K1 deficiency
is over 30%
- exposure to enzyme-inducing drugs increases the risk of haemorrhagic disease
of the newborn. This includes exposure to antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine,
phenytoin and phenobarbitone (1)
- it is recommended that infants with prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs should receive 1mg vitamin K intramuscularly at birth (1)
Reference:
- (1) Prescriber (2001), 12 (18), 30-36.