Vitamin K is given as a prophylaxis for hemorrhagic disease.
It is administered intramuscular (IM) in the vastus lateralis muscle (see figure 8-9).
![8.05 Administration of Vitamin K 1 Figure 8-9. Intramuscular injection.](https://brooksidepress.org/ob_newborn_care_2/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Figure_8_9_Intramuscular_injection_250.jpg)
Brookside Note: The vastus lateralis muscle lies lateral to the midline of the thigh and wraps about 1/4 the distance around the thigh…from 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock
![8.05 Administration of Vitamin K 2 Vastus Lateralis Injection Site](https://brooksidepress.org/ob_newborn_care_2/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Newborn_IM_Injection_Site-300x225.jpg)