What complication is prevented by routine vitamin K administration shortly after delivery?

Routine administration of vitamin K shortly after delivery is crucial in preventing hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN). This condition arises due to a deficiency of vitamin K, which is essential for the synthesis of certain clotting factors in the liver. Newborns, especially those breastfed, are at higher risk for vitamin K deficiency because breast milk has low levels of vitamin K, and infants are typically born with low stores of this vitamin.

By administering vitamin K shortly after birth, healthcare providers take a proactive approach to ensure that the newborn has adequate levels of this vitamin to promote normal blood clotting and reduce the risk of bleeding complications. This preventive measure is a standard practice in neonatal care to safeguard infants against potentially life-threatening hemorrhagic events.

In contrast, neonates are not routinely given vitamin K to prevent conditions like sepsis, hypoglycemia, or asphyxia because these conditions have different etiology and management protocols that do not involve vitamin K supplementation.