Vitamin K for Newborns
When I talk to expecting parents about what to expect in the first 24 hours with their baby, I find that most parents don’t realize why we recommend a dose of Vitamin K for newborns. I think parents deserve to understand their baby’s body and why I recommend that all babies receive a Vitamin K injection after birth.
What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin which is stored in the body to help the liver produce clotting factors. Clotting factors in the blood are what allow us to stop bleeding when we have a cut or an injury. They also help prevent spontaneous bleeding in the brain, GI tract, nose/mouth, etc. Vitamin K also plays a role in bone health. Humans six months of age and older get Vitamin K from two main sources. First, bacteria in the intestines create Vitamin K for the body to use. Second, Vitamin K is absorbed from foods that are eaten, such as leafy green vegetables, some fruits, meats, cheese, and vegetable oils.
Why are Newborns Deficient?
Newborns are deficient in vitamin K for several reasons. First, Vitamin K does not transfer well through the placenta (from mom to baby). This means that babies are not able to build up a store of Vitamin K during the pregnancy. Second, breastmilk contains only a very small amount of Vitamin K. Formula has a little bit more Vitamin K than breastmilk, but still not enough. Finally, babies have immature intestinal tracts that lack the type of bacteria needed to create Vitamin K.
Vitamin K Deficiency Can Be Very Dangerous.
Because Vitamin K allows the liver to produce clotting factors, a deficiency of Vitamin K means that a baby’s blood cannot clot as effectively. Infants who are vitamin K deficient are more prone to spontaneous brain bleeds, intestinal bleeding, and bleeding from the skin and umbilical cord. This is called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding. Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding can occur anywhere from one day old to eight months old. The consequences of the spontaneous bleeding (hemorrhage) can be devastating, including permanent brain damage and death.
How Does a Vitamin K Shot Help?
To help prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, shortly after a baby is born, we give them baby an injection of Vitamin K into their thigh muscle. We recommend doing it in the first six hours after birth. Since this practice started (after 20 years worth of research) in the 1960’s , the rates of newborns who developed Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding dropped significantly. Oral Vitamin K supplementation has been shown to not be as effective in preventing spontaneous bleeding. This is why I recommend a Vitamin K injection after birth for all of my patients.
Most babies receive a Vitamin K injection in the hospital or center where they are born. However, if your baby does not receive the Vitamin K injection right after birth and you decide that you would like your baby to have it, your child’s doctor should be able to help. Please note though, there is no benefit to delaying the Vitamin K injection. Also, Vitamin K doses given outside the hospital/birthing setting may not be instantly available (may need to be ordered). They also may be more expensive as they are not typically kept in stock at primary care clinics.
In addition, if your baby were to need some type of procedure, the chances of bleeding complications is much higher if they have not received a Vitamin K injection. For families who want their baby boys to be circumcised, Vitamin K is required for this reason. Most doctors and dentist are unwilling to perform procedures on infants who have not received Vitamin K due to the risk of bleeding.
Is a Vitamin K Injection Safe?
Yes, the Vitamin K injection is safe. Some forms of the Vitamin K injection have a small amount of preservative, benzyl alcohol, to prevent fungal/bacterial growth in the dose. This preservative has not been shown to cause any adverse affects to babies. A lot of places now carry a preservative free dose of Vitamin K. Some people site concerns about Vitamin K administration causing childhood cancer. Multiple studies have been done that have shown NO EVIDENCE that giving Vitamin K is associated with leukemia or any other childhood cancers. If you have concerns about the Vitamin K injection, I urge you to discuss them with your child’s doctor.
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