If you’re considering starting a vitamin K supplement regimen for your newborn, you may wonder about the correct dose. While there is no single correct dosage for this vitamin, doctors usually start with a low-dose, twice-daily supplement. Then, gradually increase the dose as your newborn grows. In general, the dosage of vitamin K for newborns should not exceed 4,000 micrograms per day. To avoid side effects, be sure to check the label.
The first dose should be given to high-risk neonates through an intravenous (IM) route, while repeated doses may be needed depending on the infant’s clinical condition. Vitamin K prophylaxis is not approved in the US, so some countries refuse to provide this therapy for newborns. However, this approach has several advantages, making it the recommended treatment for newborns. For example, vitamin K prevention can prevent a disease known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
Read More: Things That Help You Get Pregnant
Vitamin K administration to newborns is a controversial topic that has sparked a worldwide debate. In general, however, the evidence supports its administration for VKDB prevention. The lead maternity carer should discuss vitamin K prevention with parents and inform them of the risks and benefits of the procedure. An intramuscular dose of vitamin K is recommended, although some preterm infants may receive 0.5mg to avoid causing harm to their developing immune system.
In addition to intramuscular administration, mothers should give their baby a supplement of vitamin K when breastfeeding. Breastmilk does not contain sufficient vitamin K for newborns. Mothers must document the dose and timing in the baby’s red or yellow health record book. The recommended dose for babies under one month is 1.0 mg; for babies over 1500 g, it is recommended every two to three weeks.
A recent practice review confirmed the benefits of routine IM vitamin K administration for newborns in preventing VKDB. The benefits of vitamin K administration for newborns have been proven over the past decade, but the optimal delivery route is still unknown. The CPS recommendations in 1988 sought to provide this benefit without causing pain but recommended the oral route of administration. Despite the limited research, the CPS reported the parenteral regimen as effective, practical, and economical.
The Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics have developed guidelines for newborns’ optimal vitamin K dosage. However, there are also concerns that vitamin K prophylaxis may result in serious adverse effects. A lack of vitamin K may result in hemorrhagic disease in newborns, which can lead to death.
Routine vitamin K administration for newborns continues to be recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society. It is given intramuscularly in the first six hours after birth, when the newborn’s blood is still stable and when the maternal-newborn interaction is appropriate. However, oral vitamin K is less effective than intramuscular prophylaxis for late VKDB. Suppose you’re concerned about how much vitamin K a newborn needs. In that case, starting the regimen with a lower dose than the standard recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society is a good idea.
It’s important to remember that the Vitamin K for newborn dosage is based on the risk for bleeding in newborns. The recommended dosage is 0.5 to 1.0 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The dosage should be adjusted based on the clotting factor profile of the infant. This dosage is usually repeated every six to eight hours, and the dosage should be repeated if necessary.
