The nurse administers vitamin K to the newborn for which reason?
A.
Most mothers have a diet deficient in vitamin K, which results in the infant’s being deficient.
B.
Vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver and must be given by injection.
C.
Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in the newborn’s intestinal tract.
D.
The supply of vitamin K is inadequate for at least 3 to 4 months, and the newborn must be supplemented.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in the newborn’s intestinal tract.
Explanation:
Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting by aiding in the synthesis of clotting factors, specifically prothrombin and factors VII, IX, and X. In adults and older children, vitamin K is produced by bacteria in the intestines and also obtained through diet. However, newborns have a sterile gut at birth, meaning they lack the bacteria necessary to produce vitamin K. This deficiency increases their risk for a condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), formerly known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
Newborns have limited stores of vitamin K because the placenta does not transfer it efficiently during pregnancy. Additionally, breast milk contains relatively low amounts of vitamin K, which may further contribute to the deficiency in breastfed infants. Formula-fed infants receive more vitamin K through fortified formula, but they are still at risk early on.
Vitamin K injections, typically given intramuscularly shortly after birth, help to prevent VKDB. Without this prophylaxis, infants are at risk of developing life-threatening bleeding, especially within the first week of life. Bleeding can occur in various areas of the body, including the brain, leading to serious complications or even death.
Option A is incorrect because maternal diet is not usually the cause of vitamin K deficiency in infants. Option B is also incorrect because vitamin K aids in prothrombin synthesis, not preventing it. Option D is partially correct in that infants do have low vitamin K, but the injection is given to cover the critical early weeks, not several months.
Thus, the administration of vitamin K at birth is a preventive measure to ensure the newborn can properly form blood clots and avoid serious bleeding complications.