Vitamin K injection

• Vitamin K injection is an intramuscular injection that is given to the newborn within 1 hour of birth.
• The purpose of this intervention is to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), a rare but potentially fatal bleeding disorder caused by vitamin K deficiency.
• Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, but it is not produced by the newborn’s immature liver or gut bacteria until several days or weeks after birth. Breast milk also contains low levels of vitamin K compared to formula milk.



• The procedure for administering vitamin K injection is as follows:
  • Wash your hands and wear gloves, apron, mask and eye protection.
  • Check the medication label for the name, dose, expiry date and route of administration.
  • Draw up 0.5 mg (0.5 ml) of vitamin K into a 1 ml syringe with a 25-gauge needle.
  • Expel any air bubbles from the syringe and recap the needle.
  • Identify an appropriate injection site on the anterolateral aspect of the middle or lower third of the thigh.
  • Cleanse the skin with an alcohol swab and let it dry.
  • Hold the syringe at a 90-degree angle to the skin and insert the needle quickly and firmly into the muscle.
  • Aspirate for blood return. If none, inject the medication slowly over 5 seconds. If blood return is present, withdraw the needle slightly and aspirate again before injecting.
  • Withdraw the needle swiftly and apply gentle pressure to the injection site with a dry cotton ball. Do not massage or rub the site.
  • Dispose of the used syringe and needle in a sharps container and remove your personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Wash your hands again and document the medication administration.