Pediatrics · Malnutrition and Nutritional Deficiencies (Vitamin Deficiencies, PEM)

A 4-day-old exclusively breastfed term male infant born at home presents with oozing from the umbilical stump and blood in stool. Platelet count is 2.4 lakh/mm3, PT is markedly prolonged, aPTT mildly prolonged, fibrinogen normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?

  • A Classic vitamin K deficiency bleeding
  • B Disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • C Hemophilia A
  • D Neonatal immune thrombocytopenia
Correct answer: A. Classic vitamin K deficiency bleeding

Explanation

Classical VKDB occurs at 2 to 7 days in breastfed infants who did not receive prophylactic vitamin K at birth. The pattern of isolated prolongation of PT (factor II, VII, IX, X deficient) with normal platelet count and fibrinogen points to vitamin K deficiency. DIC would show thrombocytopenia and low fibrinogen, while hemophilia shows isolated aPTT prolongation with a normal PT.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 43,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Malnutrition and Nutritional Deficiencies (Vitamin Deficiencies, PEM) MCQs

See all Malnutrition and Nutritional Deficiencies (Vitamin Deficiencies, PEM) MCQs →