Abstract

Vitamin K deficiency at birth is a risk factor for Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. This bleeding prone situation can produce severe hemorrhages mainly in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and brain.

There is strong evidence that the administration of vitamin K to the newborn is safe and effective, potential side effects are mild, so there is a clear benefit of its administration.

PrevInfad workgroup recommends the prophylactic administration of 1 mg intramuscular Vitamin K to prevent the Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Some special considerations for preterm newborns and for children whose parents reject intramuscular prophylaxis are explained in the document. Moreover, an operative proposal and information for parents are presented.

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