Bleeding in the neonate

Abstract

Approach to the bleeding neonate requires an understanding of developmental haemostasis and how this alters the presentation and treatment. Bleeding can be a manifestation of an inherited coagulopathy or a consequence of an acquired condition, and as such tailored investigations are required to distinguish between these conditions. This chapter describes developmental haemostasis, common scenarios for bleeding to occur in the neonatal period, and suggested investigations and differential diagnoses.