Vitamin K prophylaxis against haemorrhagic disease of the newborn in the United Kingdom

In the 1950s it became widespread practice to give vitamin K prophylactically to protect neonates against haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. The finding of an association between use of vitamin K3 and kernicterus in premature babies in the 1960s was a setback. Vitamin K1 was safe in this respect b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBMJ. British medical journal (International ed.) Vol. 303; no. 6810
Main Authors Handel, J, Tripp, J.H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 02.11.1991
Subjects
disease control
disease prevention
hemorrhage
neonates
vitamin K
vitamin supplements
United Kingdom
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Summary:In the 1950s it became widespread practice to give vitamin K prophylactically to protect neonates against haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. The finding of an association between use of vitamin K3 and kernicterus in premature babies in the 1960s was a setback. Vitamin K1 was safe in this respect but the rarity of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, the trauma of intramuscular injections, and the cost of treating all babies have been the cause of continuing debate. Some paediatricians maintain that the only safe practice is to give intramuscular vitamin K to all babies, others that oral vitamin K suffices in those at low risk for haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, and a minority that this second group needs no prophylaxis at all. The aims of this study were to document current patterns of prophylaxis policy in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, recording recent changes and determining the reasons for these changes.
ISSN:0959-8146