Does intramuscular administration of vitamin K prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding in newborn infants?
Intramuscular vitamin K remains the standard of care for preventing vitamin K deficiency bleeding in newborns, despite rising incidence due to parental refusal.
Intramuscular administration of vitamin K for prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) has been a standard of care since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended it in 1961. Despite the success of prevention of VKDB with vitamin K administration, the incidence of VKDB appears to be on the rise. This increase in incidence of VKDB is attributable to parental refusal as well as lowered efficacy of alternate methods of administration. The aim of this statement is to discuss the current knowledge of prevention of VKDB with respect to the term and preterm infant and address parental concerns regarding vitamin K administration.
Hand et al. (Tue,) studied this question.