Vitamin K for infants

All infants are given vitamin K after birth. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to bleedings that can cause life-long disability. In the Netherlands, vitamin K is administered orally. In its advice to the minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends switching to a single intramuscular injection of vitamin K shortly after birth for breast-fed infants. This provides better protection against bleedings.