The Vitamin K shot at birth: Protect your newborn from life-threatening bleeding
What is vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is needed for blood clotting and bone health. Because newborns are born with very small amounts of vitamin K in their bodies, all newborns should receive a shot of vitamin K at birth to prevent serious bleeding.
Why does my newborn not have enough vitamin K at birth?
Adults and children get vitamin K from eating foods that have large amounts of vitamin K, such as green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K is also made by certain bacteria in the intestines; this type of bacteria is absent in newborns. Vitamin K does not cross the placenta easily, so even if a pregnant mother tries to take in more vitamin K in her diet or with supplements, the baby will still be born with low levels. Breast milk contains variable levels of vitamin K, but not enough to prevent vitamin K deficient bleeding (VKDB).
Are there any side effects to the vitamin K shot?
No. The only possible side effect is pain where the shot is given, but this should go away quickly.
What are the risks of not getting the shot?
Without the vitamin K shot, roughly 1 in 50 babies will develop vitamin K deficient bleeding. The risk of bleeding can last for several months, and the older a baby is when the bleeding happens, the more severe it can be. Vitamin K deficient bleeding can happen to babies as old as 6 months. Often this late bleeding is internal, occurring in the intestines or in the brain. If late bleeding occurs, 1 in 5 babies die from VKDB.
Why does vitamin K have to be given as a shot?
Vitamin K must be given as a shot into the muscle to make sure it stays in the baby’s body long enough to prevent bleeding. Studies have shown that giving vitamin K by mouth does not work as well as the shot to prevent bleeding. Also, there is no FDA-approved oral form of vitamin K for newborns in the United States.
Our top priority is your baby’s health. If you have additional questions about vitamin K, please talk with your child’s doctor.