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Vitamin K


Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Key points to remember

  • all babies need vitamin K
  • vitamin K helps blood to clot and prevents serious bleeding
  • babies have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies
  • without vitamin K, babies are at risk of getting a rare bleeding disorder
  • the bleeding disorder is called VKDB (vitamin K deficiency bleeding) or HDN (haemorrhagic disease of the newborn)
  • VKDB is serious and can cause brain damage or death
  • a single vitamin K injection given at birth is the most effective way of preventing VKDB

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Why is vitamin K important for my baby?

Vitamin K helps blood to clot and prevents serious bleeding. Without vitamin K, babies are at risk of getting a rare disorder called VKDB (vitamin K deficiency bleeding) or HDN (haemorrhagic disease of the newborn). VKDB can cause babies to die or to be permanently damaged because of blood loss or internal bleeding. This disorder can be prevented by giving a single vitamin K injection to newborn babies.
 

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What is the risk of my baby developing VKDB?

VKDB is rare and the chance of babies developing it is small, even if they have not been given extra vitamin K. However if babies do develop VKDB, it can cause severe harm, including death or severe brain damage.
 

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Why do babies have low levels of Vitamin K?

Babies have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies because:

  • vitamin K is primarily made by bacteria in the gut and there are few bacteria in a baby’s gut at birth
  • babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy or breastfeeding

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Which babies are most at risk of developing VKDB?

  • all babies have low levels of vitamin K and are therefore at risk
  • premature babies
  • sick babies
  • infants born to mothers taking certain medications

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How is vitamin K given to my baby?

The most reliable way to give babies vitamin K is by one injection into the muscle (intramuscular injection). One injection given just after birth will protect your baby for many months.
 
It is possible to give babies vitamin K by mouth (orally). However, this is not recommended because:
  • vitamin K is not absorbed as well when given by mouth
  • the protection does not last as long and so three doses are required (at birth, at five to seven days and at six weeks)
  • there may be doubt as to whether the dose has been swallowed
  • there is a risk that the later dose may be forgotten
  • some babies may have conditions that prevent absorption of vitamin K from the gut

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Can all babies have vitamin K?

All babies need vitamin K. This includes babies who are premature, very small or sick, as well as babies having surgery.
 

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How safe are vitamin K injections?

Research and practice has shown that giving vitamin K by injection at birth is safe and effective. Babies in New Zealand, and in many other countries, have been given vitamin K injections for many years without incident.
 
Having the injection does not cause any health problems but some babies have a slight swelling or soreness at the site of the injection for a day or two.
 

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Does my baby have to have vitamin K?

It is your choice whether or not your baby receives vitamin K. You can refuse the injection but you need to be aware that giving vitamin K by mouth (orally) does not provide as much protection for your baby as a vitamin K injection and requires repeated doses over a period of weeks.
 
Not giving vitamin K at all means that your baby is at risk of getting a severe, preventable health problem and you should watch closely for any warning signs of bleeding (see When should I seek help?).
 

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When should I seek help?

If you decide against your baby having vitamin K, you need to watch very carefully for symptoms of VKDB (vitamin K deficiency bleeding). You should always see your doctor urgently if your baby has any of the following warning signs:

  • easy bruising
  • increasing bruising around their head and face
  • bleeding from the nose, gut or umbilical cord (bleeding and bruising are not normal in the first months of life)
  • irritability, vomiting, paleness which might be due to internal bleeding
  • is over three weeks old and there are any signs of worsening jaundice

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Where to go for more information

LMC (lead maternity carer)
Your LMC can provide you with more information about vitamin K.
 
Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service (South Australia)
The parenting and child health section of this website has a vitamin K fact sheet1 which provides information under the following headings:
  • vitamin K at birth
  • why is it given?
  • concerns about vitamin K
  • changes in practice
  • recommendations
  • a parent’s choice
This pamphlet is based on the "Joint Statement and Recommendations on Vitamin K Administration to Newborn Infants to Prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding", prepared by several organisations including the Paediatric Division of the RACP (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

 The pamphlet covers the following:
  • why is vitamin K important for my baby?
  • how is vitamin K given?
  • can all babies have vitamin K?
  • does vitamin K have any side effects?
  • does my baby have to have vitamin K?
  • what should I look out for?
  • how do I get vitamin K for my baby?

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Acknowledgements

National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia; Paediatric Division of the RACP (Royal Australasian College of Physicians); Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners; Australian College of Midwives Inc. "Vitamin K for newborn babies: information for parents". Reviewed 2004.
 

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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 13/04/2007

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010


The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz 		Starship Foundation
http://www.starship.org.nz