A single vitamin K injection at birth is the most effective way of preventing a serious bleeding disorder called vitamin K deficiency bleeding or VKDB.
Vitamin K is a substance in our bodies that helps our blood to clot and stops bleeding. Vitamin K is naturally present in the body and is made in the intestine from food.
All babies are born with low levels of vitamin K in their bodies.
Vitamin K is made naturally in the intestine but as newborn babies have very little bacteria in their intestine, they do not make enough. As your baby grows they will start to make enough vitamin K.
Breastmilk does contain vitamin K but in too small an amount to provide protection.
Too little vitamin K puts your baby at risk of a rare disease called VKDB (vitamin K deficiency bleeding).
All newborn babies have low levels of vitamin K and so they are at risk of VKDB. VKDB is rare and the chance of babies developing it is small, even if they have not received extra vitamin K. But, if babies do develop VKDB, it can cause internal bleeding leading to death, or permanent damage to the brain and other organs.
Babies who are at increased risk of VKDB include:
VKDB can happen in the first day of a baby's life but this is rare. It usually happens to babies of mothers taking certain medicines.
VKDB happens most often in the first 1 to 7 days of a baby's life.
VKDB can happen up to about 6 months of age in babies with liver or bowel problems, or exclusively breastfed babies who have not had vitamin K at birth.
Babies have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies because:
The most reliable way to give babies vitamin K is by one injection into the muscle in the leg (intramuscular injection). One injection just after birth will protect your baby for many months.
It is possible to give babies vitamin K by mouth (orally). But, this is not recommended because:
All babies need vitamin K. This includes babies who are premature, very small or sick, as well as babies having surgery.
Research and practice shows that giving Vitamin K by injection at birth is safe and effective.
Research and practice shows 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 problems.
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.
It is your choice whether or not your baby receives vitamin K and whether it is given by injection or by mouth. Giving vitamin K by injection provides the best protection for your baby. Giving vitamin K by mouth (orally) does not provide as much protection for your baby and they will need to have 2 more 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.
If you decide against your baby having vitamin K, make sure to watch very carefully for symptoms of VKDB (vitamin K deficiency bleeding). Always see your doctor urgently if your baby has any of the following warning signs:
Your midwife or family doctor can give you more information about vitamin K.
Darlow BA, Phillips AA and Dickson NP. 2011. New Zealand surveillance of neonatal vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB): 1998-2008 [1]. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Medsafe NZ. 2013. Information for health professionals: Vitamin K prophylaxis in the newborn [2].
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 newborns [3].
Starship Child Health. 2018. Clinical guideline: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding and prophylaxis in the newborn [4].
This page last reviewed 19 May 2023.
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Links
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21332589/
[2] https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/puarticles/vitk.htm
[3] https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/childrens-health-and-development/vitamin-k-newborns
[4] https://starship.org.nz/guidelines/vitamin-k-deficiency-bleeding-and-prophylaxis-in-the-newborn/
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F141