What is the standard newborn vitamin supplement given at birth?

What is the standard newborn vitamin supplement given at birth?

• A. Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) injection
• B. Vitamin C injection
• C. Vitamin K (phytonadione) injection
• D. Vitamin A injection

Answer: (C)

Newborns have very low vitamin K stores and a sterile gut, which puts them at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding in the first days to weeks of life. To prevent this, a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K (phytonadione) is given soon after birth. This brightens the blood’s ability to clot and dramatically reduces the chance of serious bleeding, especially in the brain. Vitamin D is important for bone health and is usually started after birth as an oral supplement, particularly for breastfed babies, rather than given as an injection at birth. Vitamin C and A injections aren’t standard newborn prophylaxis and wouldn’t serve to prevent hemorrhagic disease.

Newborns have very low vitamin K stores and a sterile gut, which puts them at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding in the first days to weeks of life. To prevent this, a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K (phytonadione) is given soon after birth. This brightens the blood’s ability to clot and dramatically reduces the chance of serious bleeding, especially in the brain.

Vitamin D is important for bone health and is usually started after birth as an oral supplement, particularly for breastfed babies, rather than given as an injection at birth. Vitamin C and A injections aren’t standard newborn prophylaxis and wouldn’t serve to prevent hemorrhagic disease.