Cause and Significance of Seasonal Variation in the Haemorrhagic Tendency in the Newborn

Capillary Resistance Studies

“…Capillary strength is known to be affected by certain vitamins and it has been established that seasonal variations occur in the adult. Kerpel-Fronius et al (1948) have demonstrated a similar seasonal trendinchildren and suggest that this parallels the observed seasonal trend in intracranial haemorrhage in the newborn in Hungary.…”

“…Potter (1952), however, states that the underlying bone is "almost never abnormal". Kerpel-Fronius et al (1948) reported a close seasonal relationship between capillary resistance of young children and the incidence of certain haemorrhagic manifestations in the newborn. March and April were found to be the months in which fragility was greatest.…”

“…The results obtained during the early months were discarded owing to possible inaccuracies while the technique was being perfected; thus 622 test results were used in the final analysis. Kerpel-Fronius et al (1948) considered pressure below 150 mm.Hg to be low, but it became obvious that, when testing the normal newborn infant, figures of 50 mm.Hg and 100 mm.Hg were often obtained within 24 hours of birth. The apparatus was not accurate below 50 mm.Hg and, therefore, no absolute figure could be quoted as being low.…”

“…The present enquiry was planned to investigate seasonal trends in capillary resistance in the new- born and to relate these to the observed incidence of intracranial haemorrhage. At the same time since Vitamin P is claimed to influence resistance in the newborn (Kerpel-Fronius et al, 1948; Minkowski and Venes, 1948) a comparison was made between babies born of mothers given this vitamin antenatally and a control group.…”

"Towards a Lower Paediatric Mortality"

“…Such haematomata are often found at necropsy, and have undoubtedly been the cause of death. Kerpel-Fronius (1948) has suggested that vitamin P should be given as well; that there are two factors concerned with the diathesis-one the hypoprothrombinaemia and the other an increased capillary fragility-both resulting from vitamin deficiency in the mother's diet. The seasonal incidence has of course been known for a long time, which adds some weight to this theory.…”