Haemophilia in extreme immature preterm infants: increased risk for intracranial haemorrhage?

Abstract

Haemophiliacs and extremely premature infants are both at an increased risk for intracranial haemorrhage; both conditions might be further elevating the risk. We report a case of a very immature preterm-infant of 26 gestational weeks (birth weight 635 g) with severe haemophilia A. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the published literature on this subject matter. Until now, deficiency of factor VIII or IX as a potential risk factor for ICH in preterm infants remains controversial. However, prophylactic substitution of factor VIII or IX in preterm infants with haemophilia may minimize the risk of bleeding complications and neurologic sequelae.

• Factor VIII/IX
• haemophilia
• intracranial bleeding
• neonate
• prematurity

Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank the staff of the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Children’s Hospital Würzburg for their excellent and dedicated patient care as well as the Central Laboratory of the University Hospital Würzburg for their support. VW, OA, ME and SK contribute essential to the clinical decisions and attendance VW, SK and SF wrote the manuscript. All authors have read the final manuscript.