Babies are given vitamin K shortly after birth, as a lack of vitamin K can cause bleeding. The consequences of this bleeding can be very serious, especially if it happens in the brain. Infants now receive vitamin K in the form of drops.
The Health Council indicated in 2017 that drops of vitamin K do not protect some children enough and a different form is needed. It concerns children who are breastfed and who have a disturbed fat absorption. At birth it is not possible to see which children this is the case. International studies show that administration via a shot works better for them. In order to be able to make a choice, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has previously asked RIVM to collect additional information, for example about the feasibility and costs of the various forms of administration and the support for them among professionals. As a result, VWS is considering giving babies vitamin K via an injection after birth.
After that, RIVM, on behalf of VWS, made a plan that is necessary to change the form of administration (implementation plan). RIVM has drawn up this plan with care professionals from birth care and interest groups of parents. The plan is necessary because the administration via injection has consequences for various processes in birth care. For example, the information material for parents and the digital files of the child must be adapted. It is important to keep track of which babies receive the injection form and whether it actually works well.
Different birth care professions and organizations representing parents all support the different approach. Babies receive an injection with vitamin K immediately after birth. One injection is then enough. If parents don’t want this, their baby can get the vitamin by mouth. Then three doses are needed.
Implementation plan for vitamin K prophylaxis for infants
Implementation plan for vitamin K prophylaxis for infants
Newborns are given vitamin K immediately after birth because a vitamin K deficiency can cause haemorrhages. The consequences of these haemorrhages can be very serious, particularly if they occur in the brain. Infants are currently given vitamin K in the form of drops.
In 2017, the Health Council of the Netherlands indicated that oral vitamin K drops do not provide all children with sufficient protection and that another form of the vitamin is required. This is because oral vitamin drops are not effective enough in children who are breastfed and have fat malabsorption, a disorder that cannot be detected at birth. International studies show that administration via an injection is more effective in these children. The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) asked RIVM earlier for additional information, e.g. about feasibility, costs and support among professionals, to help it choose the method of administration. As a result, the VWS is now considering the postnatal administration of vitamin K to baby’s via an injection.
The VWS asked RIVM to draw up a plan for a possible change (implementation plan) to enable it to make a definitive decision. RIVM has done so in cooperation with perinatal professionals and organisations that speak on behalf of parents. The plan is needed because administration via an injection has consequences for different processes in perinatal care. Educational material is necessary, for example, and electronic medical files must be updated because it is important that records are kept of which babies are given the injection and whether it is indeed effective.
Various perinatal professional groups and organisations that represent parents all support the new approach, which advocates the administration of a vitamin K injection to babies immediately after birth. A single injection is sufficient. If parents do not agree with this, their baby can be treated orally with the vitamin. In this case, three doses are necessary.
Source: RIVM
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