Vitamin K and erythromycin policy
While babies are still in the uterus, maternal vitamin K does not cross the placenta to reach the baby. When they are born, babies have immature liver function and breast milk does not contain enough vitamin K. That means that all newborns have low levels of vitamin K, so they all need supplementation from another source. Vitamin K deficiency can result in bleeding in the intestines and brain during the newborn period that can be fatal. If the infant survives the bleeding episode, it can cause permanent brain damage leading to severe developmental disabilities. Newborns that do not get a vitamin K shot at birth are 81 times more likely to develop severe bleeding that can occur at birth through six months of age. Injectable vitamin K has been the standard of care for the prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding since 1961, when it was first recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Since that time, providers have been able to safely and effectively eliminate the risk of bleeding and death.
Erythromycin eye ointment protects newborns from ophthalmia neonatorum, a gonorrhea infection of the eyes that can result in blindness. A simple application of eye ointment can protect the newborn from transmission during birth and saves a child from unnecessary consequences that lead to blindness. Application of the ointment is recommended within one hour of birth to allow for effective bonding between a newborn and his/her mother.
Learn more about the importance of Vitamin K for your newborn ›
We are proud to say that our policies and practices adhere to the guidelines recommended by the AAP. As a department, we retain the right to opt out of providing care for infants whose parents uniformly and unequivocally refuse vitamin K and erythromycin eye ointment. To be clear, it saddens us to turn any child away. However, we have found that we cannot provide high-level care without using the tools that allow us to prevent disease.
Pediatric immunization policy
Our pediatrics department is committed to delivering the highest quality health care in a safe and welcoming environment. Our relationship with patients and families is based on mutual respect, openness, and trust. With this goal, we partner with families and educate caretakers and children about how to maximize their health. We are proud to say that our policies and practices adhere to the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
With this in mind, we are thankful that today’s medicine allows us to prevent life threatening diseases through vaccination. Although adverse reactions rarely occur,¹ studies have shown that vaccines prevent devastating diseases, decrease infant mortality/disability and keep kids healthy into adulthood.²
The safety of our patients and communities is our priority. However, we have found that we cannot provide high-level care without using the tools that allow us to prevent disease. As such, our practices include following the vaccination guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
We have established protocols that enable our pediatricians to provide the highest quality care possible. This includes our providers’ right to opt out of providing care to children whose parents uniformly and unequivocally refuse to vaccinate them. We always hope that we can work with parents to improve their comfort level and increase their knowledge about the benefits of vaccines. We encourage you to bring any questions you have about vaccines and your child’s recommended vaccination schedule to your pediatrician so they can help you make informed decisions about your child’s health.
Our pediatricians are committed to delivering health care in a trusting partnership with our patients, and thank you for maintaining the safety of our practice, community and the children we serve by adhering to the highest clinical standards of health guidelines.
For more information about a child’s vaccination schedule, please visit the AAP website for immunization schedules.