Newborn babies can be prone to bleeding disorders, and one standard medical procedure to combat this involves administering a vitamin K shot at birth. Vitamin K is known to help promote clotting and blood health by nourishing the liver. However, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to opt for a vitamin K shot for your newborn. This article will explore the benefits and risks of administering a vitamin K shot at birth.
What Is Vitamin K, And What Does It Do In The Body?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin found in two forms in your food.
- Phylloquinone - Found in green leafy vegetables
- Menaquinones - Found in fermented foods and animal products
It helps make the proteins needed for blood clotting
Vitamin K deficiency can lead to low levels of prothrombin in the blood.
Prothrombin is a blood clotting protein whose deficiency can lead to hemorrhage (internal bleeding) and blood loss.
Vitamin K deficiency is very rare in adults.
It occurs in individuals with malabsorption issues or those taking medications that interfere with vitamin K absorption.
Why Is Vitamin K Shot At Birth Important?
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), infants between 0 and 6 months need two micrograms of vitamin K daily to maintain adequate nutritional levels.
This is because every newborn child has low vitamin K levels in their blood.
Two main reasons for this are:
- Vitamin K did not flow to the fetus through the placenta
- The mother’s breastmilk was deficient in vitamin K (1 mcg/liter)
Low vitamin K levels in infants put them at a higher risk for developing a condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in the first six months of their life.
This is why every infant needs a vitamin K shot at birth.
What Is VKDB?
Since 1961, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a vitamin K shot at birth to prevent the risk of VKDB.
VKDB causes life-threatening internal bleeding, which can occur within 6 months of birth.
According to experts, one out of five babies with VKDB die because of the condition.
Two out of every five survivors end up with long-term neurological damage.
They may also have motor skill defects, cognitive issues, and organ failures.
VKDB may also lead to motor skill defects, cognitive issues, and organ failures in surviving children.
What Are The Three Types Of VKDB?
Early VKDB
Early VKDB occurs within 24 hours of birth.
The baby could be born with an existing bleeding disorder, which may worsen due to low vitamin K levels.
The use of certain maternal medications also increases the risk of early VKDB.
Classic VKDB
Classic VKDB occurs between 24 hours and one week of birth.
It’s caused by a natural decrease in vitamin K levels, which breast milk cannot adequately replenish.
Late VKDB
Late VKDB occurs between one and 24 weeks (6 months) of birth.
It could result from the baby's existing liver problems, which make the liver unable to produce clotting factors.
All three cases of VKDB cause bleeding in the gut or brain and can turn severe quickly.
How Is Vitamin K Shot At Birth Given?
Doctors usually administer Vitamin K as a single intramuscular shot or an oral dose right after birth.
The injection contains vitamin K and certain safe additives that maintain the vitamin's pH levels and improve its absorption rate.
A single shot of vitamin K within 6 hours of birth can greatly reduce the risk of VKDB.
The dose is generally 1mg, but babies weighing under 1500g at birth get a 0.5mg dose of vitamin K.
| Vitamin K Injection | Vitamin K Tablets |
| One-time procedure | Three doses over 8 weeks |
| Delivered intra-muscularly | Delivered orally |
| Absorbed quickly and efficiently | Absorbed slowly and partially |
| Recommended by the CDC | Not recommended by the CDC |
Vitamin K Shot At Birth: Pros And Cons
In 2019, a study surveyed parents who were against vitamin K shots and noted a few reasons:
- Risk of further health issues since vitamin K shots are not “natural.”
- Lack of trust in the healthcare industry
- Other children without vitamin K shots turned out healthy
A growing number of people oppose vitamin K shots at birth.
It’s essential to clearly explain the pros and cons to help them make an informed decision.
| Pros of Vitamin K Shot At Birth | Cons Of Vitamin K Shot At Birth |
| Prevents VKDB, a rare but severe blood clotting problem in infants | Rare instances of infection, bleeding, or bruising at the site of injection |
| Easy administration; intramuscular(recommended) or oral | Preservatives like benzyl alcohol can be toxic in large amounts for very premature babies |
| One of the safest substances to administer |
Some parents wanted to wait until their infant showed signs of vitamin K deficiency.
However, visible signs of VKDB appear only after significant internal bleeding since it starts affecting the liver right from birth.
If the condition grows severe, there is little that doctors can do.
Summary: Vitamin K Shot At Birth
- The liver needs Vitamin K to produce a blood-clotting protein called prothrombin.
- Vitamin K doesn’t flow through the placenta, so babies are generally born with low vitamin K levels.
- Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding(VKDB) at birth can cause hemorrhages and organ failures.
- A vitamin K shot within 6 hours of birth can reduce the risk of VKDB.
- The benefits of getting a vitamin K shot outweigh the risks since it reduces mortality risk and organ failure.
- After parental consent, vitamin K shots can be taken at all hospitals and birthing clinics in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Vitamin K Shots Cost?
In most countries, hospitals offer vitamin K shots at birth completely free of cost.
Is VKDB Rare?
Yes, VKDB incidences in the USA are extremely low.
It’s only because nearly all newborns take the vitamin K shot.
VKDB is more common in regions where vitamin K shots aren’t readily available.
Do All Newborns Need A Vitamin K Shot At Birth?
Yes. Vitamin K isn’t properly delivered to the fetus through the placenta and won’t be adequately delivered through breast milk.
Every newborn needs a vitamin K shot to prevent internal bleeding due to VKDB.
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References
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/vitamink/judah-stories.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146284/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9184874/#bib3
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2016/08/19/heres-the-truth-about-vitamin-k-for-newborns/?sh=3bed58321474
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6245a4.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6184976/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7028442/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857497/
- https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/vitamin-k.html
