Controversies Concerning Vitamin K and the Newborn

Abstract

The vitamin K Ad Hoc Task Force1 recommends that vitamin K1 be administered as a single intramuscular dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mg as prophylaxis for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. This dose is based on the fact that it corrects the prolonged prothrombin time and has been in general use in North America for more than 40 years. It also undoubtedly has reduced the incidence of hemorrhage which may be a fatal or disabling event.