Avoidable hazard to New Zealand children: case reports of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn is preventable by the routine administration of vitamin K to newborn babies. Despite this, prophylactic administration of Vitamin K1 remains controversial and haemorrhagic disease of the newborn continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of this disease occurring recently in this region of New Zealand; one resulting in an infant's death, the other baby suffering from an intraventricular haemorrhage and secondary hydrocephalus. These cases prompted us to survey major New Zealand hospitals to assess their policy as regards routine vitamin K administration to newborn infants. The results of this survey suggest that there is now a uniform policy in New Zealand hospitals of giving intramuscular vitamin K. However, intramuscular vitamin K administration may still be objected to by some parents and lead to further cases of this preventable disease. Evidence now available shows that vitamin K1 given orally in a dose of 1 mg is effective in preventing haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.