According to current Indian pediatric practice, what is the recommended vitamin K prophylaxis for a healthy term newborn?

• A Vitamin K 0.5 mg orally on days 1, 7 and 28
• B Vitamin K 0.1 mg/kg orally once weekly for 6 weeks
• C Vitamin K 5 mg intravenously on day 1
• D Vitamin K 1 mg intramuscularly as a single dose soon after birth ✓

Explanation

A single intramuscular dose of 1 mg vitamin K (phytomenadione) given soon after birth prevents early, classical and late vitamin K deficiency bleeding and is the accepted standard for healthy term infants in India. Oral regimens require multiple doses and give less reliable protection, particularly against late bleeding in exclusively breastfed infants, so parenteral administration remains the route of choice.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.