The vitamin supplement that is administered soon after birth is?

Tripura CHO - 2021

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

Newborns are born with sterile intestines and cannot initially produce their own Vitamin K, which is normally synthesized by gut bacteria.
Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of crucial blood clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) in the liver.
Administering a prophylactic dose of Vitamin K at birth is a standard practice to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a serious and potentially fatal condition.
Breast milk is a poor source of Vitamin K, further necessitating supplementation for all newborns, especially those who are exclusively breastfed.

Option A: Vitamin B12 is not a routine supplement for all newborns.
Option B: Vitamin C is not routinely administered to newborns as a supplement.
Option D: Vitamin E is not a universal supplement for all newborns at birth.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Newborn Prophylactic Care and Vitamin Supplementation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Administering the Vitamin K injection is a critical nursing responsibility to ensure newborn safety and prevent a life-threatening bleeding disorder.
Nurses play a key role in educating parents about the importance of the Vitamin K shot, addressing concerns, and documenting consent or refusal. Parental refusal is a significant safety risk.
A key nursing assessment is to monitor the infant for any signs of bleeding, such as oozing from the umbilical cord or injection site, bruising, or blood in the stool, especially if the Vitamin K shot was refused.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for a routine vitamin supplement given to all newborns immediately after birth.
Recall the standard prophylactic (preventive) treatments administered in the delivery room or nursery. These typically include an antibiotic eye ointment and a vitamin injection.
Consider the unique physiology of a newborn. Key points are a sterile gut and immature organ systems.
Evaluate each vitamin option based on this physiological context. The sterile gut directly links to the inability to produce Vitamin K, which is synthesized by intestinal flora.
This lack of Vitamin K impairs the blood clotting cascade, creating a risk of hemorrhage. Therefore, supplementing Vitamin K is a logical and necessary intervention.
Eliminate the other options as they are not universally required. B12 is conditional on maternal status, while C and E are sufficiently provided in milk for a term infant.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 108-110

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 156-158

E6 One Stop Resource all for your Exam Needs in Biochemistry (pp 6-135 of 140) p. 76-78