Vitamin K prophylaxis: Leaving the old route for the new one?

Oral or parenteral administration of vitamin K is the accepted practice for prevention of early vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in the newborn. However, vitamin K prophylaxis in the newborn continues to be a worldwide health concern, particularly in breastfed infants. This paper reviews the current status of the use of vitamin K for the prevention of early and late VKDB. Key Words: Vitamin K, prophylaxis, vitamin K deficiency bleeding, infancy, haemorrhagic disease of the newborn The basis of pathogenesis Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary for the synthesis of factors II, VII, IX and X in the liver. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (formerly known as haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, HDN) comprises early (0–24 h), classic (1–7 d) and late (2–12 wk) syndromes according to the time of presentation [1]. The vitamin K status of neonates is characterized b