Which vitamin K preparation for the newborn?
Newborn babies are at risk of bleeding as a result of vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K supplements given at birth reduce this risk but it is not clear which preparation should be used. Until the early 1990s, it was standard practice to give vitamin K as a single intramuscular injection at birth (Konakion Ampoules 1 mg/0.5 ml-Roche). Studies published in 1990 and 1992 suggested a possible link between intramuscular vitamin K injection and childhood cancers, particularly leukaemias. Our response was to recommend that vitamin K injection be given orally (not then a licensed route) until a licensed oral preparation became available. Such a preparation is now marketed as Konakion MM Paediatric (Roche). In addition, the suggested association between intramuscular vitamin K and cancer has been further investigated. In this article, we update our advice.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000517:prevention & control
D006490:Hemostatics; D014812:Vitamin K