Vitamin K is one of the vitamins that important to newborn. However, some mothers may ask is it necessary provide the injection of vitamin K at birth?
In fact, newborn have very little amount of this vitamin in their bodies. Though that suplement is important because it plays a role in the blood clotting process. The low levels in the newborn’s body is normal.
This is due to the underdevelopment of good vitamin K-producing bacteria in the baby’s intestine, and also because the intake is not properly absorb by the placenta when the baby is still in the womb.
However, it is important to know, if the baby is deficient in this vitamin, it will be prone to bleeding which can certainly harm the baby.
Benefits of Vitamin K for Newborns
In newborn this vitamin is important to prevent bleeding in various organs of the body, from the brain, stomach and intestines. The name is vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).
Therefore, the injection is given from birth or 6 hours after the baby is born. Once injected, most of the vitamins are stored in the liver and very useful in the process of blood clotting.
Other than by injection, administration can also be carried out by dropping the supplement is in the form of drops. However, the absorption is less good than that given by injection.
These vitamin in newborns can also be obtain from the breast milk. Although the amount is slightly, but still highly recommend for exclusive breastfeeding to meet the nutritional needs of infants.
Notes from DeveHealth:
So, for pregnant mother who waiting for their newborn, important to know that vitamin K is essential for the safe and newborns. Make sure your baby gets these injections after birth to prevent any kind of risk of bleeding.
