Newborns receive vitamin K soon after birth because:

Rationale: A. While the newborn liver has some immaturity, the main reason for vitamin K administration is not liver production alone. B. Hemolysis of fetal red blood cells does not significantly affect coagulation factor levels requiring vitamin K. C. Newborns receive vitamin K through breast milk or formula, but the immediate postnatal administration is not due to dietary deficiency. D. Newborns are born with a sterile gut, lacking the intestinal flora that synthesize vitamin K. This predisposes them to vitamin K deficiency and increases the risk of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, so prophylactic vitamin K is administered shortly after birth.