All newborns should receive intramuscular vitamin K for the prevention of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Administration of vitamin K is a standing order on the admission order form.

Single dose ampules of Aquamephyton, 1 mg per 0.5mL, are part of the drug standard in the nursery.

Infants >1500 gms should receive Aquamephyton 1 mg IM.

Infants <1500 gms should receive Aquamephtyon 0.5 mg IM.

This guideline can be found in the NICU Nursing Guidelines Manual, #40:08.23.

Special considerations:

1. For infants whose lower extremities are covered with a bowel bag in the delivery room (ex. gastroschisis, omphalocoele), take 1 mg vitamin K prophylaxis to the delivery room and administer there.

2. For infants with suspected hemophilia, vitamin K can be administered intravenously. Mix dose with D5W and administer slowly over several minutes.

References:

Puckett RM, Offringa M. Prophylactic vitamin K for vitamin K deficiency bleeding in neonates. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/cochraneneonatal/puckett/review.htm