Newborn Vitamin K Injection
How to use vitamin k1 ampul this medication is given by injection under the skin or into a muscle or vein as directed by your doctor.
Newborn vitamin k injection. Research shows that a single vitamin k shot at birth protects your baby from developing dangerous bleeding which can lead to brain damage and even death. Newborn babies are given vitamin k injections to prevent a serious disease called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn hdn. Vitamin k is needed for blood to clot normally. And many other countries around the world a single intramuscular injection of vitamin k is recommended for all newborns soon after birth.
If you prefer they can have it orally instead although they will need further doses. Vitamin k is needed for blood clotting. Mcninch and tripp 1991. If this medication is given into a vein it should be injected.
No parent enjoys the thought of their little one getting a shot. The truth about the newborn vitamin k injection the vitmain k shot for newborns is a subject that you need to research if you are pregnant. Puckett and offringa 2000. When infants receive 2 mg of oral vitamin k at least three times during infancy at birth 4 to 6 days and 4 to 6 weeks or 2 mg of oral vitamin k after birth and 1 mg of oral vitamin k every week for three months statistics from germany switzerland and denmark show that somewhere between 0 to 0 9 infants out of 100 000 will develop late vkdb.
As with most medications though there are risks especially at such a young age. It s recommended that all newborn babies should receive vitamin k at birth. In the uk you ll be offered vitamin k as an injection for your baby. Without it any small internal injury which might normally clot and heal quickly could turn into a dangerous hemorrhage.
Nhs choices 2016. Key points to remember about vitamin k for newborn babies a single vitamin k injection at birth is the most effective way of preventing a serious bleeding disorder called vitamin k deficiency bleeding or vkdb. Babies are born with very small amounts of vitamin k in their bodies which can lead to serious bleeding problems. But a single injection of vitamin k can protect a baby from a serious even deadly preventable bleeding disorder.
If you are giving birth in a hospital the vitamin k shot will be offered to your baby shortly after the birth. Vitamin k can be given by mouth if preferred but oral doses aren t as effective.