Oral Vitamin K for Newborns for Parents who decide to forgo the IM Vitamin K

The vitamin K shots that are administered at birth in the hospital contain the following ingredients:

Each 0.5 mL contains phytonadione 1 mg, polyethylene glycol-15-hydroxystearate 7%, propylene glycol 2% in water for injection.

Unfortunately there are potential risks associated with some of the ingredients. See research articles below.

1 Hypersensitivity to polyethylene glycol in adults and children: An emerging challenge - PMC

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9431890/

2. PEG That Reaction: A Case Series of Allergy to Polyethylene Glycol - PMC

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8014770/

The alternative that we offer at the clinic is an oral vitamin K that is administered by syringe. The oral Vitamin k is administered

at birth, repeated at 2-4 and 6-8 weeks of age. The first dose of oral vitamin K is given at first feeding. 

The oral solution contains olive oil and vitamin K 1 (phytonadione) with no other additives or preservatives. The syringes are to stay in the fridge to preserve freshness of active ingredients. 

Pediatric Guideline for Vitamin K:

https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/vitamin-k-prophylaxis-in-newborns