Vitamin K Therapy

Question 1

Vitamin K deficiency may result in…

Answer 1

Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (rare)

Question 2

When can it occur?

Answer 2

Can occur early - during first week of life

Or late, from 1-8 weeks of age

Question 3

In most affected infants, how does it present?

Answer 3

The haemorrhage is mild
Bruising 
Haematemesis
Melaena
Prolonged bleeding of the umbilical stump or after circumcision

Question 4

In rare cases, babies can suffer from…

Answer 4

Intracranial haemorrhage - half of whom permanently disabled/die

Question 5

Is breastmilk a poor or good source of vitamin K?

Answer 5

Poor source

Infant formula milk has much higher vitamin K content

Question 6

What can increase the risk of haemorrhagic disease?

Answer 6

Infants of mothers taking anti-convulsants, which impair the synthesis of vitamin K dependent clotting factors
Infants with liver disease

Question 7

Are all newborns given vitamin K immediately after birth?

Answer 7

Yes given IM

Parent can request oral vitamin K as alternative (3 doses over first 4 weeks needed as oral absorption variable)

Question 8

Mother on AEDs should receive…

Answer 8

Oral prophylaxis of vitamin K from 36w gestation and the baby should be given vitamin K