Question
Is it necessary for newborns to receive a vitamin K injection at the hospital after birth? What should be paid attention to during this process?
Answer
Generally, newborns should receive a vitamin K injection after birth to prevent the risk of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. Vitamin K is primarily synthesized by intestinal bacteria, but the amount of vitamin K-producing bacteria in newborns is relatively low, and they cannot produce enough vitamin K. Moreover, the content of vitamin K in breast milk is also low. Therefore, it is commonly recommended to inject vitamin K to newborns after birth.