Why is vitamin K administration important in newborns?

Vitamin K administration is important in newborns primarily because it prevents hemorrhagic disease due to a lack of clotting factors. Newborns are born with low levels of vitamin K, which is essential for the synthesis of certain proteins necessary for blood coagulation. Without adequate vitamin K, infants are at an increased risk for bleeding complications, especially within the first few days or weeks of life. This can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as intracranial hemorrhaging. Therefore, administering vitamin K shortly after birth is a critical preventive measure to ensure that infants have sufficient levels of this vitamin to support proper blood clotting.