The uptake of the third oral vitamin K dose in general practice

To assess the uptake of the third oral vitamin K dose in general practice.

Infants born between 1 October 1992 and 4 February 1993 in the Rotorua area were identified. This included all infants born at the maternity unit and home births within the Rotorua area. The general practitioner recorded as the preferred primary healthcare provider was contacted and a questionnaire completed.

There were 521 recorded births. Of these 104 were excluded as they were non resident within the Rotorua area. Of those infants residing in Rotorua after birth (417), a further 77 were excluded due to: No general practitioner identified 3; deaths 3; transfers--outcome unknown 18; and intramuscular vitamin K given at birth 53, giving a survey population of 340. Forty general practitioners were identified as the preferred primary health care provider. There was a 100% questionnaire response rate. In the survey population the uptake of the third dose of vitamin K was 90.6%. (308 out of 340).

Further investigation is required to identify those infants not receiving the third oral dose and why. A more specific questionnaire requesting information as to why the third dose was omitted should have been designed. It may be necessary to consider the use of a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K to those breastfed infants who can be considered to have a high probability of not receiving the three oral doses of vitamin K within the first six weeks of life regardless of other risk factors.