Why does the umbilical area bleed after the newborn's umbilical cord falls off, and what should be done?

Generally, bleeding from the navel after the newborn's umbilical cord has fallen off may be caused by factors such as incomplete healing of the umbilical cord, improper cleaning, omphalitis (navel infection), vitamin K deficiency, or neonatal hemorrhagic disease. If any discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a physician. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Incomplete Healing of the Umbilical Cord: The umbilical cord of a newborn is cut shortly after birth, but the remaining stump requires some time to heal completely. During this period, excessive movement or friction on the umbilical cord may cause slight bleeding. It is important to keep the newborn's umbilical cord dry and clean, avoid excessive friction, and monitor the bleeding. If the bleeding persists or worsens, prompt medical attention is necessary.

2. Improper Cleaning: If parents use inappropriate methods or tools when cleaning the newborn's navel, it may damage the navel area and cause bleeding. It is recommended to gently clean the navel with a mild cleanser or warm water, avoiding the use of rough towels or cotton swabs to prevent skin irritation.

3. Omphalitis: Omphalitis is a common infection of the navel area in newborns, usually caused by bacterial infection, which may lead to redness, swelling, pain, and bleeding. Parents may administer medications to the newborn as directed by a physician, such as amoxicillin granules, cefaclor granules, erythromycin granules, etc., to control the infection and promote healing.

4. Vitamin K Deficiency: Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for maintaining blood coagulation function. If a newborn lacks vitamin K, it may lead to abnormal clotting function and cause navel bleeding. Medications such as vitamin AD drops or injectable fat-soluble vitamins may be used under a physician's recommendation to help improve coagulation function.

5. Neonatal Hemorrhagic Disease: Neonatal hemorrhagic disease is a bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of clotting factors. It may manifest as navel bleeding, skin bruising, and other symptoms. Parents should administer coagulation factor medications to the newborn under the guidance of a physician, such as recombinant human coagulation factor VIII for injection or recombinant human coagulation factor IX for injection, to supplement clotting factors and control bleeding.

In daily life, parents should pay attention to observing the newborn's symptoms, ensure the infant gets adequate rest, and keep the bleeding area clean and dry to promote recovery.