Re: [ozmidwifery] hep B at birth

[Janet Fraser]

I tackle Vit K and Hep B at the same time. I think the govt sites are pretty funny saying you should have the hep B but then saying how you get it. The logic of how it's contracted is usually enough for most people. Precocious bloody newborns ; ) J Hepatitis B and Vitamin K http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0344.asp#main Quote: The recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin K is 10 mcg for infants. Human milk does not provide this much vitamin K to the breastfed baby at any stage of lactation, despite the fact that mothers on average consumed 670% of the adult RDI. In fact, nursing babies received on average only 7-13% of the RDI. Giving the mothers a modest daily supplement of 88 mcg/day did not increase breastmilk concentration of the vitamin. A large daily supplement, 5000 mcg, taken by breastfeeding mothers increased the amount of vitamin K in their milk to the same level with which formulas are fortified. Whether or not the RDI represents the amount of vitamin K that babies truly need is a matter that can be debated. The small quantities of vitamin K in human milk are adequate for most babies, as evidenced by the fact that the vast majority of breastfed babies do not develop vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). A single IM dose results in extremely high levels of vitamin K in the newborns' blood soon after injection: the peak median plasma concentration at 12 hours is 9000 times the normal adult level, and from one to four days after the injection the levels are about 100 times higher than in a normal adult. It is unknown what risk there is in exposing the newborn to these high concentrations of vitamin K. Cancer was suggested as a potential risk as early as 1983, but the evidence to date is inconclusive. General Discussion about Controversy over Administration of Vitamin K to Newborns http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/vitamink.html A huge wealth of info, treatises, discussions etc. http://gentlebirth.org/cgi-bin/query.pl?swishindex=%2Fusr%2Fhome%2Ffalcao%2Findex .swish&metaName=Keywords&keywords=vitamin+k&detail=yes&maxresults=40 Do a search for vitamin k here for the UK perspective. http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk Quote: Hep B info. This is from the Vic govt’s website which says all babies ought to be immunised but also tells you this is how you catch it Wow those newborns are precocious! How is hepatitis B spread? Blood The hepatitis B virus is present in the blood of an infected person. If infected blood enters another person’s blood stream, that person may catch the disease. The disease can be spread by: Drug users sharing needles and syringes. Piercing the skin with equipment which is not properly cleaned and sterilised. Sharing razor blades or toothbrushes. One person's blood coming into contact with open cuts on another person. People who get blood transfusions do not run the risk of hepatitis B infection because blood donations are screened for the virus. You cannot catch hepatitis B from contact with urine or faeces unless they contain blood. Sex The virus can be spread if people have sexual intercourse without a condom. Mother to Baby Mothers who are carriers sometimes pass hepatitis B to their children. Some babies are infected in the womb or during birth. However, most infection occurs shortly after birth, so if the newborn baby is quickly immunised, he or she can be protected from the disease. ----- Original Message ----- From: Kristin Beckedahl To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 4:27 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] hep B at birth Does anyone know of an article for parents or a link I could use for the 'other side of the argument' for Hep B shot at birth for my CBE couples..? I can only find the government prodcued brochures etc.. Thanks, Kristin Find your old friends and discover what they're doing now. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.