title: Why do parents decline newborn intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis?
abstract: To explore the influencing factors and reasoning of parents who opt out of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis for their newborn.
  
  
  
  We conducted a qualitative study with 15 families from the Otago/Southland region of New Zealand. Semistructured interviews explored their choice to opt out of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis and thematic analysis was used to elucidate themes that captured important aspects of this parental decision-making process.
  
  
  
  Parents opt out of intramuscular vitamin K for a variety of reasons. These were clustered into three main themes: parents' beliefs and values (philosophy and spirituality), concerns about their child's welfare (pain and potential side effects) and external influencing factors (family, friends, media and health professionals). As part of a wider family hesitancy towards medical intervention, the majority of parents also raised concerns regarding other perinatal or childhood interventions.
  
  
  
  Many factors influence parental decision making and lead to a decision to opt out of newborn intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis. Due to strong parallels with other common childhood interventions, these findings have relevance for vitamin K prophylaxis and for other healthcare interventions in childhood.
authors: Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Hayleigh
authors: H
authors: Miller
authors: Bioethics Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Kerruish
authors: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Roland S
authors: RS
authors: Broadbent
authors: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Barker
authors: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Benjamin J
authors: BJ
authors: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014812:Vitamin K
keywords: Blood; Children; Clinical Ethics; Decision-making