Vitamin K for the newborn baby
As soon as the baby is born, the Apgar test is performed, a test that measures your health at the moment of birth, at five minutes and at 10 minutes. In addition, the baby receives Other care, including an ointment applied to the eyes to prevent possible conjunctivitis and also receive a dose of vit
As soon as the baby is born, the Apgar test is performed, a test that measures your health at the moment of birth, at five minutes and at 10 minutes. In addition, the baby receives Other care, including an ointment applied to the eyes to prevent possible conjunctivitis and also receive a dose of vitamin K.
Vitamin K for the newborn baby is administered by injection, we tell you why and what other alternatives exist.
Why vitamin K is administered to the newborn baby
It is usually administered by an intramuscular injection and is performed to prevent the newborn baby from suffering from the vitamin K deficiency hemorrhage syndrome.
Vitamin K is essential as it helps the The body makes bones and tissues through proteins and also produces proteins that help the blood to coagulate. That is, without enough vitamin K, we could bleed a lot.
When the baby is born, it usually presents a low level of vitamin K since it comes mainly from the diet in adults, which is why pediatricians usually administer a dose to activate the coagulation system and be able to avoid a greater disease in case of hemorrhage. It does not happen very often but in case of hemorrhage it can cause the death of the baby.
The vitamin K deficiency syndrome in the newborn baby is usually given:
- In the first 24 hours after birth.
- In the first week of life if there is umbilical, rectal or oral bleeding. A - After 2 weeks of life, it is called late, in 50% of these cases an intracranial hemorrhage occurs.
Why vitamin K is injected and not administered orally
Health authorities recognize that oral prophylaxis is less invasive and easier to administer, but it has a great disadvantage. And is that there is doubt about the dose received by the baby because it can spit, regurgitate or vomit.
In addition, in case of resorting to the oral dose, it is necessary to repeat the procedure several times, that is, several doses are needed. Vitamin K administered through an intramuscular injection may be a more invasive method and may cause pain to the baby but is more effective. Pediatricians believe that despite having to prick the baby and cause a discomfort, the benefits are greater.
