Oral Vitamin K Helpful for Newborns
Clinical Study Title:
Vitamin K in neonates: how to administer, when and to whom.
| Plain
English Summary: |
The
nutritional status of infants and newborns can have
major impacts on their health. In particular, vitamin
K deficiencies are associated with various problems
with bleeding. As a precaution, vitamin K is recommended
to be administered to all newborns. However, the route
of administration can be dangerous. There is some
minimal evidence that an injection of vitamin K may
be too much for newborns, and may have unwanted side
effects. An oral supplement can be as effective without
the side effects, but the supplement should be given
over a few days. Newborns who present at a greater
risk for hemorrhage disease of newborns may need an
injection rather than an oral supplement to ensure
that the disease is controlled. Each patient should
be examined individually to determine the needed dosage
and route, but each newborn should always receive
vitamin K supplements in some form. |
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Authors:
Autret-Leca E. Jonville-Bera AP.
Institution:
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, H pital Bretonneau, University
Francois Rabelais, Tours, France
Country of Publication:
New Zealand
Source:
Paediatric Drugs. 3(1):1-8, 2001.
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