Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
What is vitamin K?
- Vitamin K is needed to help blood clot normally. Blood clots stop bleeding.
- Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K.
- We get vitamin K from the foods we eat.
- The bacteria that live in our gut also help make vitamin K.
What is vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
- This is bleeding that happens in a baby when they do not have enough vitamin K.
- This type of bleeding can happen anytime between birth and 6 months after birth.
- Babies without enough vitamin K can develop bleeding into their intestines or brains. This bleeding can happen before parents know there is anything wrong.
- Vitamin K deficiency bleeding can lead to brain damage and death. One out of every five babies with vitamin K deficiency bleeding dies.
Why does my baby have low vitamin K?
- All babies have low vitamin K.
- Vitamin K does not pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.
- The intestines of newborn babies do not yet have the good bacteria that help make vitamin K.
How can I prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
- All newborns should receive a vitamin K injection (or shot) immediately after delivery.
- This has been strongly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1961.
- Vitamin K injections are safe.
- Vitamin K given to a baby by mouth dose not work well.
- Breastfeeding does not provide enough vitamin K to prevent bleeding.
- Babies who do not receive vitamin K at birth are 81 times more likely to develop bleeding.
For more information, see the AAP Policy Statement on Vitamin K and the Newborn Infant and Protect Your Baby from Bleeds from the CDC.
This publication was adapted from information from the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC.
Reviewed by: JJ M.D., CPCMG Newborn Committee, AR D.O. | 05/2024