Parents' knowledge and perceptions regarding vitamin K prophylaxis in newborns.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing trend of parents refusing vitamin K (VK) prophylaxis in newborns. We examined the knowledge, perceptions, cultural and religious barriers of expecting parents regarding VK prophylaxis.

OBSERVATIONS: Questionnaires were completed by 217 participants: 151 female participants and 85% were expecting their first child. Two thirds had academic degrees, yet were ignorant regarding recommendation to provide VK (22.5%), source (15.5%), action (34%), and provision options (29%). Moreover, first-time parents had not yet decided to provide VK after birth (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to provide expecting parents with information regarding safety, utility, and benefits of VK prophylaxis.