Vitamin K Prophylaxis for the Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborns—A Short Narrative Review

Abstract

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) affects 1 of 200 to 400 neonates who do not receive vitamin K prophylaxis. VKDB is classified by cause (idiopathic or secondary) and type (early, classic, late). The late type of VKDB is the least common and most severe with a mortality rate of 20%. AAP recommends that all neonates should receive a single dose of vitamin K1 soon after birth, which includes 0.5 to 1.0 mg of intramuscularly administered vitamin K1 or 1 to 2 mg of oral vitamin K1. Intramuscular administration is preferred and has more benefits than oral administration. The oral prophylaxis administration is controversial and in our Country is not available.