03/26/2026
Just a little bit of advocating information♡ please read up on the shared link!
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https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GXtF2Nr45/
US doctors are sounding the alarm that an increasing number are declining vit K at birth.
As doulas, we don't give medical advice, we share evidence-based info.
Vitamin K shot has been recommended since 1961 in the US. Vit K impacts the body's ability to properly clot and prevent bleeding.
Why? Vit K is a fat soluble vitamin humans do not produce and don't store well. Older infants can maintain vit k through diet.
Newborns have low levels as it doesn't transfer well from the pregnant person to the baby.
Human milk also doesn't have high levels of Vit K.
Most infants' blood will clot even with naturally low levels, but some babies will not. We aren't sure which until bleeding occurs.
Why is vit k given to babies? In the 1930s, a Dutch scientist discovered vit k deficiency caused Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN), now named Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) as it can occur after the newborn period.
Since 1961, we have over 60 years of data showing the vit k shot reduces the risk of VKDB. There is also data showing oral vit K reduces the risk, however, it has not shown to be as effective as the shot.
What is the risk of VKDB? The overall risk is low. However, once it occurs it can be life altering and even fatal. Classic VKDB is more common but often less severe. Late VKDB can be severe.
Among infants who do not receive the vit k shot: Risk of classic VKDB (first week of life), depending on the source is 0.25% to 1.5% of newborns (250 to 1,500 out of 100,000) or 0 to 0.44% (0 to 440 out of 100,000)
For late VKDB, no vit k: 4.4 to 7.2 infants out of 100,000 will develop late VKDB
One dose oral vit k at birth: 2.6 infants out of 100,000 will develop late VKDB
Oral vit k at least 3 doses in infancy: 0 to 0.9 infants out of 100,000 will develop late VKDB
Vit K shot at birth, anywhere from 0 to 0.4 infants per 100,000 get late VKDB. The shot doesn’t prevent every case of late VKDB, but most countries report incidence rates of zero or close to zero.
So, should your baby get vit k?
Research shows it reduces the risk of VKDB.
Parents should look at the evidence, chat with providers, and make informed decisions.
