Why is vitamin K offered to all newborns in the UK?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. To prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding
- Step 1: Newborns have low vitamin K stores.
- Step 2: Vitamin K prevents haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, which can cause intracranial bleeding.
Answer
To prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
Why not the others: To improve the baby's latch and the success of breastfeeding in the first week: It has no effect on feeding. To treat early-onset neonatal sepsis in babies of mothers with fever in labour: It is not an antibiotic. To prevent neonatal jaundice caused by raised bilirubin in the first week: Vitamin K does not treat jaundice.
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