Newborns are given Vitamin K injections to prevent a __ disorder called “VKDB”
The correct answer and explanation is:
Newborns are given Vitamin K injections to prevent a bleeding disorder called “VKDB” (Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding).
Explanation:
Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), previously known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, is a serious bleeding disorder that occurs in newborn infants due to insufficient levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in blood clotting. Without adequate vitamin K, the body cannot properly activate several clotting factors (specifically factors II, VII, IX, and X), which are necessary for blood to clot normally.
Newborns are at particular risk for VKDB for several reasons:
- Low Vitamin K Stores at Birth: Vitamin K does not cross the placenta efficiently, so babies are born with very low vitamin K levels.
- Limited Vitamin K in Breast Milk: Breast milk contains low amounts of vitamin K compared to formula milk, so exclusively breastfed infants are more prone to deficiency.
- Immature Liver Function: The liver of newborns is not fully mature and may have a reduced ability to produce clotting factors.
- Gut Flora Immaturity: In adults, gut bacteria synthesize vitamin K, but newborns have sterile intestines at birth and develop gut flora gradually, so they lack this natural source of vitamin K initially.
VKDB can present in three forms based on timing:
- Early VKDB: Occurs within 24 hours of birth, often linked to maternal medications that interfere with vitamin K metabolism.
- Classical VKDB: Occurs between days 1 and 7 of life, typically seen in infants without prophylaxis.
- Late VKDB: Occurs between 2 weeks and 6 months, often in exclusively breastfed infants who did not receive vitamin K prophylaxis.
Symptoms of VKDB include easy bruising, bleeding from the umbilical cord, gastrointestinal bleeding, and in severe cases, intracranial hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
To prevent VKDB, it is standard practice worldwide to administer a single intramuscular injection of vitamin K soon after birth. This prophylactic injection effectively raises vitamin K levels and supports proper clotting function, dramatically reducing the risk of bleeding complications. Oral vitamin K is an alternative but less effective, especially for preventing late VKDB.
In summary, vitamin K injections in newborns are a simple, safe, and vital intervention to prevent VKDB, a potentially fatal bleeding disorder.