ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY PRESENTING AS A BLEEDING DIATHESIS IN THE NEWBORN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (1) , 68-79
Abstract
Three cases of .alpha.-1-antitrypsin deficiency are reported. Each infant presented in the newborn period with a hemorrhagic tendency which responded to vitamin K. Two of them subsequently developed cirrhosis and case 2 is one of the few reported cases of infantile cirrhosis associated with the heterozygous protease inhibitor (Pi) SZ phenotype. On the basis of these 3 patients, the exclusion of .alpha.-1-antitrypsin deficiency by Pi phenotyping should be considered in any baby presenting with a bleeding diathesis, especially in view of the genetic implications of the homozygous Pi ZZ phenotype.