Abstract
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive a single dose of intramuscular Vitamin K to prevent Vitamin K deficiency bleeding. How should the clinician respond when parents decline Vitamin K? Although Vitamin K deficiency bleeding can have devastating sequelae, they are uncommon; therefore, parents are generally allowed to decline Vitamin K after counseling is provided. When parents ask for a Vitamin K preparation of unproven effectiveness, should the clinician honor that request? To address these questions, we present a case of a healthy newborn whose parents declined intramuscular Vitamin K and requested an oral preparation. Two general pediatricians discuss the medical and ethical issues these situations pose, and the parents describe their experience.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 753-757 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Pediatrics |
Volume | 136 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2015 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health