Vitamin K
The body requires vitamin K as it plays a crucial role in the blood clotting process. Sources of this vitamin may be from food eaten and in some bacteria found in the intestines of human beings (CDC, 2016; a). New born babies need to be provided with the vitamin K medication at birth since, first of all they have got little of it stored in their systems as only a little amount can pass through the placenta, secondly, the bacteria responsible for manufacturing them cannot be found in their intestines and finally, the vitamin K contents found in breast milk is not sufficient (CDC, 2016; b). As such, this medication should be provided to prevent the baby from being a victim of vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Parents may however not want their children to be given this medication due to fears of cancer.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Based on the realization that a newborn baby has got a very weak immune system, there is the need for protecting them at all costs. Since hepatitis B is a serious disease to new born babies, it is essential for them to be provided with a hepatitis B vaccine at birth since their risks of developing cancer and liver diseases are very high (CDC, 2014). Additionally, children with the disease do not show symptoms and may easily pass it on without anyone noticing. Mothers may not want this vaccine given to their children due to the side effects associated with for instance a slight fever and soreness at the point of injection.
Erythomyacin ointment
It is usually common practice for pregnant woman to be tested for sexually transmitted infections. However, there is the need for providing new born babies with an erythomyacin ointment at birth as it helps in preventing the possibilities of such infants from contracting\ conjunctivitis and by extension blindness just in case their mothers contracted an STD like Chlamydia or gonorrhea during their last periods of pregnancy (CDC, 2016; c). There are also other chemicals which live in a woman’s vagina and which may result in the baby contracting conjunctivitis too and as such, it is imperative that such a child be provided with a erythomyacin ointment shot too. Mothers may not want such a vaccine to be given to their children since it may be irritating to their eyes.
References
CDC. (2014). Hepatitis B Fact Sheet for Parents | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/child/hepb.html
CDC. (2016; a). FAQs, | Vitamin K Deficency Bleeding | Blood Disorders | NCBDDD | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/vitamink/faqs.html
CDC. (2016; b). Facts | Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding | Blood Disorders | NCBDDD | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/vitamink/facts.html
CDC. (2016; c). Conjunctivitis | Pink Eye | Newborns | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/newborns.html
