Routine Procedures
Newborn
Common questions about Vitamin K shots
What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K helps our blood clot and prevents serious bleeding
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Why do we give it to babies?
Babies have low Vitamin K levels when they are born
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Is the Vitamin K shot safe?
It is very safe and has not been linke with cancer, and has minimal preservatives. It has been used routinely in the US since 1961
Can I just eat more Vitamin K rich foods?
Unfortunately the mother’s diet does not impact the baby’s Vitamin K level before delivery or while breastfeeding
Can we use oral Vitamin K?
Oral Vitamin K is NOT as effective as the injection
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Antibiotic Eye Ointment
Antibiotic eye ointment will be placed on your baby’s eyes soon after delivery to prevent possible infection of the baby’s eyes. This can make her eyes look wet or goopy initially.
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Vitamin K Injection
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all infants receive a Vitamin K injection as soon as possible after birth to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Vitamin K plays an essential role in the blood’s ability to clot. This Vitamin K boost helps the newborn quickly achieve normal vitamin K levels and reduces the chance of internal bleeding in the first months of life. Oral vitamin K is not as effective at preventing late bleeding from Vitamin K deficiency which can lead to bleeding in the brain.
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Screening Laboratory Blood Tests
Around 24 hours of life, the baby’s blood will be taken from a poke in her heel to collect blood for two tests: 1) Newborn Genetic and Metabolic Screening Test and 2) Bilirubin level. The “Newborn Screen” test is required by the State of California and checks for rare genetic and metabolic conditions that can affect a newborn. Many of the diseases are treatable or have special management to keep the baby healthy.
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A bilirubin test measures the level of bilirubin in the baby’s blood. Bilirubin comes from the breakdown of blood cells and high levels cause jaundice. This blood level can help us predict which babies might need treatment for jaundice. Learn more here (link to jaundice page).
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Hearing Test
ALGO test will be done during the first few days of the hospital stay. This checks for some types of hearing loss that can be detected at birth. It is not uncommon for a baby to ”refer” or not pass this test due to fluid in the ear canal. This test will be repeated before going home.
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What is donor breast milk?
Donor breast milk is milk donated by lactating mothers who have extra milk. It is screened for infections and pasteurized by the milk bank before being given to babies. It is safe to use with even the smallest preterm babies.
Congenital Heart Screen
A congenital heart screen is performed at the time of the blood test in most nurseries. The nurse checks the baby’s oxygen level to make sure it’s normal. This test can help us detect very rare heart conditions. If there is a concern, the nurse will repeat the test and let the doctor know.
First Hepatitis B vaccine
We recommend that your baby receive the first Hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital. This is the first of three doses and will protect again a viral infection that can be passed from mother to baby. This is on the only vaccination done in the hospital and has minimal side effects. Review the handout and consent provided by the hospital. Please ask if you have any questions about the vaccination.
Circumcision
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