Neonatal vitamin K prophylaxis in the British Isles: current practice and trends

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Abstract
In 1992 an unexpected association was reported between intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis in the neonatal period and later childhood cancer.1 Although unconfirmed, the report obliged paediatricians to review their prophylaxis policies and led the British Paediatric Association to recommend the routine use of oral vitamin K in all healthy neonates, reserving intramuscular prophylaxis for those at greatest risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding.2 We have documented changes in prophylaxis policies so that any consequences can be assessed in terms of either the incidence of vitamin K deficiency bleeding or any possible side effects. View this table: Changes in routine vitamin K prophylaxis in British Isles since 1970. Figures are percentages In October 1993 a questionnaire was sent to every neonatal unit listed by the Neonatal Nurses' Association requesting …