[Prevention of hemorrhagic disease in newborns in the Valencia community: current aspects and trends].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to document the current patterns and trends in the prophylaxis of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn in the Community of Valencia.


METHODS
We sent a questionnaire to all public maternity units asking about prophylaxis instructions, including dosage, via of administration and changes in these instructions during the last ten-year period.


RESULTS
During the study period, a total of 397,104 infants were born. In 1985, all thirteen maternity units gave intramuscular prophylaxis. In 1990, fifteen of 16 maternity units gave parenteral prophylaxis, with the other giving oral vitamin K. Currently, of the eighteen public center 14 (77.8%) give intramuscular prophylaxis and the remaining 4 (22.2%) use an oral route. These 4 centers cover an area representing a population of 17.9% of the live births in 1994.


CONCLUSIONS
In our community there is little evidence of change to oral route for the administration of vitamin K in the prophylaxis of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Because a doubt remains in the efficacy of oral vitamin K, a centralized system to control all cases of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn should be established in order to check the security of this route of administration.
Miranda Mallea
J
J
Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Infantil La Fe, Valencia.
Gómez Taylor
J C
JC
Roqués Serradilla
V
V
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*