Doneva Lyn B.

Medina BSN2-B
Question: Explain the rationale/ reason why newborn infants receive vitamin K injection soon after
birth.

Newborn infants present a unique case of vitamin K nutrition because they are born with
a sterile intestinal tract, and the vitamin K–producing bacteria take weeks to establish
themselves. Babies aren't born with enough of this important vitamin, which is needed
for blood to clot normally. Babies who don't get vitamin K at birth are at risk for a potentially
fatal bleeding disorder called vitamin K deficient bleeding (VKDB) that can cause bruising or
bleeding in nearly every organ of the body. In most cases it involves bleeding in the brain and
brain damage. Also, plasma prothrombin (an inactive protein) concentrations are low, which
reduces the likelihood of fatal blood clotting during the stress of birth. To prevent hemorrhagic
disease in the newborn, a single dose of vitamin K is given at birth by intramuscular injection.
Soon after birth, newborn infants receive a dose of vitamin K to prevent hemorrhagic disease.