During the nine-year period from 1955 to 1964 we have cared for eight newly born infants with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. No patient died, none was operated upon, and all eight required blood replacement by transfusion. In each case there was hematemesis as well as tarry stools with the onset of bleeding as early as 24 hours of age to as late as 5 days. Each patient received Vitamin K medication and none had hematuria, purpura, or any evidence of bleeding from sites other than the gastrointestinal tract.
Brayton suggests that peptic ulceration of the duodenum or stomach is probably the actual cause of many gastrointestinal hemorrhages which have heretofore been classified as idiopathic.
Massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by Henoch-Schoenlein purpura
