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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.

One study in the early 1990s suggested that injections of vitamin K might be linked to one type of childhood cancer. Later research has proven that vitamin K is not associated with any kind of childhood cancer, whether it is given by mouth or by injection.



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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.


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Acknowledgements

National Health and Medical Research Council, Paediatric Division of the 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. 2010. Vitamin K for newborn babies: Information for parents.
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/ch38_vitamin_k_brochure_2010.pdf [Accessed 23/03/2011] 

 
Darlow BA, Phillips AA and Dickson NP. New Zealand surveillance of neonatal vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB): 1998-2008.  Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 18 Feb 2011.  doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01995.x. [Epub ahead of print].


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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 23/03/2011

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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.
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