Newborn vitamin K

This episode was written by Dr. Tammy Yau and Dr. Lidia Park, with content support from Dr. Lisa Rasmussen. Drs. Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation. 

Key points:

• Vitamin K is important in preventing early and late onset bleeding in newborns (up to 6 months of age), most importantly, intracranial bleeding. 
• Intramuscular vitamin K is most effective but oral vitamin K regimens are used outside of the US and are better than not giving any vitamin K

Sources/Supplemental Information:

• AAP Pediatrics 2022, Hand: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-056036

CDC Vitamin K Handout: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/vitamink/vitamin-k-fact-sheet-general.html