Question

What causes early vitamin K deficiency in newborns?

1) Insufficient intake of vitamin K during pregnancy
2) Inadequate transfer of vitamin K from the mother to the fetus
3) Liver immaturity in newborns
4) All of the above

Answer 1

Early vitamin K deficiency in newborns is caused by factors such as inadequate transfer from the mother, poor maternal intake during pregnancy, and liver immaturity in the newborn.

Step-by-step explanation:

Early vitamin K deficiency in newborns can be caused by multiple factors which include inadequate transfer of vitamin K from the mother to the fetus, insufficient intake of vitamin K during pregnancy, and liver immaturity in newborns which affects the metabolism of the vitamin. Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors, and without it, newborns are at risk for bleeding problems such as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). To combat deficiency, a vitamin K injection is commonly given to newborns at birth.